Storms force closure of Penn Hills Park

Penn Hills Park has closed after storms caused “excessive damage” to the property, the municipality announced Thursday.

The announcement, published to Penn Hills’ website, did not say when the park would reopen or characterize the damage.

Parks director, John Scaglione, was not immediately available to comment.

The administration also published an alert to its website Thursday that warned drivers to not drive through standing water.

“… you do not really know how fast and powerful the current is,” the alert said.

Some on social media posted photos of vehicles that were purportedly stuck in areas where there was flooding, including Rodi Road. A landslide caused traffic on Frankstown Road to back up as crews cleared the area.

Manager Scott Andrejchak said he met with Deputy Mayor Catherine Sapp, EMS Supervisor Diane Fitzhenry and Fire Marshal Chuck Miller Thursday afternoon to discuss the possibility of issuing a State of Emergency.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready, if appropriate, to issue that,” Andrejchak said.

A flood watch remained in effect for Penn Hills until 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. More rain is forecast for the area before midnight.

Friday’s weather outlook calls for partly sunny skies with a high 79 degrees.