Pittsburgh Weather: Flood Warning, Severe Thunderstorm Warning In Effect
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Severe weather is possible for parts of Western Pennsylvania as families hit the streets tonight for trick-or-treating and Halloween celebrations.
A flood warning has been issued for northwestern Allegheny County as well as a second flood warning for central Allegheny County.
We are getting reports of flooding in the area as leaves are wreaking havoc on storm drainage capabilities. Be careful driving home!
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) October 31, 2019
While there is record-breaking rainfall, PennDOT is closing multiple state routes in Allegheny and Beaver County.
State routes closed in Allegheny County:
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- Route 51 at the intersection of Purdy Road in Crescent Township
- Route 1001 (Freeport Road) at the intersection of Fox Chapel Road in Aspinwall Borough
- Route 1003 (Kittanning Pike) in Sharpsburg Borough
- Route 3006 (Boyce Road) at the intersection of Route 3005 (Mayview Road) in South Fayette Township
- Route 3046 (Streets Run Road) in Baldwin Borough
- Route 3109 (University Boulevard) in Moon Township
- Route 4029 (McAleer Road) in Franklin Park Borough
- Route 4043 (Red Mud Hollow Road) in Ohio Township
- Route 8017 (Kilbuck Street) in Glenfield Borough;
State routes closed in Beaver and Allegheny County
- Route 4023 (Big Sewickley Creek Road/Ambridge Avenue) between Main Street and Woodcrest Street Bell Acres Borough, Leet Township, Leetsdale Borough and Economy Borough.
The estimated rainfall is up to two inches.
KDKA Meteorologist Ron Smiley says it's officially the wettest Halloween on record.
Officially it's the wettest Halloween on record. Another daily rain record set (1.98" so far). Fourth in last two months. Recorded an epic 1.17" of rain during the 3p hour at airport. That HOUR would be 6th wettest day of year... #upwithKDKA #KDKAwx pic.twitter.com/73SbQVqO4I
— Ron Smiley ???? (@RonSmileyWx) October 31, 2019
He says the daily rain record was set at 1.98 inches. This is the fourth record in the last two months.
At the airport, 1.17 inches of rain were recorded at 3 p.m. He says that was the sixth wettest day of the year.
Areas that could be impacted include Ross Township, McCandless Township, Moon Township, Franklin Park, Hampton Township, Robinson Township, Economy, Kennedy Township, Ambridge, Wexford, Coraopolis and Sewickeley. That advisory is in effect until 7 p.m.
One KDKA viewer snapped a photo of flooding off of Pine Creek Road in McCandless.
The Town of McCandless Police Department says there has been flooded reporting in several areas, "Blazier, Broadlawn, Field Club, Fox Hunt and Cumberland, Grubbs, Harmony and Pine Line, Hedwig, Reichold, streets in the Presidential plan, Sloop and Rochester and others."
Locust Street in Coraopolis is experiencing flooding. Some cars are in water that comes past their tires.
Allegheny County says Findlay Township has declared a state of emergency.
KDKA's Pam Surano is on the scene of heavy flooding in Imperial, Findlay Township. She says the water rushed off the hillside across the street where a new development is being put in.
Flooding Imperial, Findlay Township. The township has been declared a State Of Emergency. This family says the water rushed off the hillside across the street where a new development is going in flooding their basement and yard. @KDKA for more. pic.twitter.com/Xx313KnCYb
— PamSuranoKDKA (@PamSuranoKDKA) October 31, 2019
She reports a family's basement and their yard was flooded.
Findlay: The township has declared a state of emergency.
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) October 31, 2019
The second flash flood warning is in effect at 6:45 p.m. and includes Penn Hills, Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, Monroeville, McKeesport, Shaler Township, Plum, West Mifflin and Pittsburgh's North Side.
Pittsburgh Police are on the scene at 31st and Liberty where there's flooding.
Allegheny County says Brandt School Road in Franklin Park is closed between Wexford Bayne Road and Corporate Drive due to flooding.
Franklin Park: Brandt School Road is closed between Wexford Bayne Road (Route 910) and Corporate Drive due to flooding.
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) October 31, 2019
They also issued an alert for Penn Hills, saying asphalt from a bridge in the 4300 block Verona Road is washing away with floodwater.
Penn Hills: 4300 block Verona Road - asphalt from bridge washing away with flood water.
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) October 31, 2019
Bethel Park is also affected by flooding. Bethel Park Police say Route 88 at Valley Drive is experiencing "flooding conditions."
WEATHER ALERT: Rt. 88 at Valley Dr. is experiencing flooding conditions, along with several other roadways around the Municipality. Please use caution and avoid driving through flooded roads.
— Bethel Park Police (@bethelparkpd) October 31, 2019
Other Bethel Park-area roads are experiencing some flooding as well. Police remind motorists to use caution and avoid flooded roads.
Moon Township Police Department says it's a good idea to avoid University Boulevard southbound uphill from Stoops Ferry Road. They say there is flooding there too and they report it looks like another landslide could be imminent.
In addition, there were down power lines on Boggs School Road. Moon Township Police say Spring Run Road Ext. is closed from Boggs School Road to the Bon Meade Plan.
The 9000 block of Maple Street in Plum is also experiencing flooding.
Homes in North Fayette Township on Santiago Road are dealing with floodwaters. 911 dispatchers say multiple homes are flooded.
North Fayette: Multiple homes experiencing flooding on Santiago Road
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) October 31, 2019
Due to the heavy rain, there's also a mudslide on Scott Farm at Oakdale Road. Allegheny County says fire units are on the scene.
North Fayette: Scott Farm at Oakdale Road - mudslide on road; fire units on scene.
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) October 31, 2019
NWS has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Indiana County until 5:15 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Indiana PA, Clymer PA, Rossiter PA until 5:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/9QPTbmdWb5
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) October 31, 2019
They say the areas included in the warning are Indiana, Clymer and Rossiter.
Some areas that aren't under warnings or watches are also experiencing flooding.
A KDKA viewer in Armstrong County is also reporting flooding on Nichola Road in West Franklin Township.
Pennsylvania State Police Captain Steve Ignantz says Route 422 at Cornetti Road in Clearfield Township, Butler County is also flooded.
There is also a Wind Advisory in place for much of the viewing area, beginning at 5 p.m. and going through 10 a.m. Friday. Wind gusts are expected to top 40 mph, and we could potentially see some wind gusts topping 45 mph.
WEATHER LINKS:
Current Conditions | School Delays & Closings | Local Radar | Weather App | Photos
KDKA Meteorologist Ray Petelin says a nasty system is passing through the area this Halloween evening.
Gusty winds, potentially strong storms and rapidly falling temperatures can be expected over the coming hours.
Ray Petelin says it will be cold enough, by midnight, for the wind chills to feel like it is in the 20s. This will remain the case at the bus stop in the morning.
With the actual temperatures falling into the 30s overnight, any leftover rain could mix with -- then change -- to snow. Ray Petelin doesn't expect there to be any accumulations.
High pressure will build into the region Friday. This will lead to gradually clearing skies.
Other than some late, isolated sprinkles Saturday, the weekend looks to stay dry and very cool.
A Tornado Watch was issued for much of central Pennsylvania, including the local counties of Armstrong, Cambria, Clairon, Fayette, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset and Westmoreland, as well as Monongalia and Preston counties in West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland.
The watch, however, was canceled.
The tornado watch has been cancelled.
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) October 31, 2019
KDKA viewer David DiGiacomo shared photos of a rainbow from his home on Elm Street in Butler. Hopefully there's a rainbow at the end of all this Western Pennsylvania flooding.
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