Plum cleanup efforts continue after July floods

Cleanup efforts continue in Plum after several July storms left feet of water in residents homes and washed away vehicles.

“I’m physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted from all of this,” resident Linda Garlitz said Monday. “I had four feet of water in house.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration declared a disaster in Allegheny County after communities were hit with flooding on July 21 and 22. Rainstorms were reported to have dumped an average of 3 inches in parts of the region.

Multiple properties in Plum sustained damage. Several businesses along Route 286 had to shut down.

Mayor Harry Schlegel said public works crews have worked extensively, and resident volunteers have done an outstanding job helping one another recover from the storms.

“It’s how great this community is,” he said. “When there’s a problem, they come together.”

Crews repaired four inlets and replaced two more on Vale Avenue and Mower Drive in the Regency Park area. They also replaced 260 feet of pipe and replaced inlets along Boyce Park Drive, according to a report from borough road and infrastructure supervisor Bill Binnie.

Borough officials said restoration efforts are far from complete.

“We’re only about 50 percent just because of manpower,” council President Mike Doyle said. “We’re just asking for people’s patience and rest assured that we’re going to be there.”

Plum Creek Park ballfields across from the borough building along New Texas Road remain closed indefinitely.

Low-interest loans through the SBA are available for residents and business owners impacted by the storms.

Resident Dave Vento said there needs to be more inspections and cleaning of sewer lines to help prevent another flooding disaster.

“We have to prepare for those storms. They are happening,” he said.

Other residents from Key West Drive echoed Vento’s comments and encouraged council to take action to prevent further flooding.

Doyle said borough Engineer Robert Mitall and other officials will visit various parts of the borough to see what can be done.

“We’re going to look into it and do everything we can,” Doyle said.

People who bought or rented dumpsters as a result of the floods may be reimbursed. They need to keep their receipt and fill out a form at the borough office.