Widespread flooding causing issues in Southwestern Pa. communities

Residents around the region were experiencing flooding Wednesday as a result of storms and heavy rains moving through the area.

A tornado watch issued by the National Weather Service expired overnight but a flood warning remains in effect until 3:45 p.m. Wednesday for Southwestern Pennsylvania. Between 2 and 3 1/2 inches of rain has already dropped and additional precipitation is expected Wednesday morning and afternoon, according to the warning.

A watch means the conditions for flooding exist; a warning means flooding is imminent or under way.

Weather service officials said further rainfall could be as much as 1 inch per hour.

“We had 1.86 inches of rain in Pittsburgh, which is a record for the date, 2.23 inches in Apollo and 2.11 inches in Irwin,” said NWS meteorologist Jared Rackley at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. “Flooding will be an issue overnight — we’re looking at another half-inch to three-quarters-of-an-inch of rain in the area before (Wednesday) morning.”

Flood Warnings remain in effect for most of the area through the afternoon. Numerous streams and creeks are out of their banks. River levels are also rising, with additional flooding expected. Use caution and stay alert for flood waters. pic.twitter.com/DPrHwAXLKG

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) April 3, 2024

Meteorologist Shannon Hefferan said more rain has nowhere to go because the ground is already saturated.

“Creeks and streams are high so the flood threat continues,” she said.

The precipitation has resulted in flooded basements, landslides and closed roads around the region, keeping first responders busy.

The Youghiogheny River in Sutersville was just under 21 feet at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. Flood stage is 20 feet.

Elsewhere in Westmoreland County, the Conemaugh River in Seward was at 13.68 feet as of 8:45 a.m., according to service data. Flood stage is 12 feet.

The Ohio River in Pittsburgh was at just under 23 feet at 9:15 a.m. Flood stage is 25 feet. All of those rivers are under flood warnings.Other rivers around the area are expected to crest under flood stage.

In Pittsburgh, the 10th Street Bypass was closed Wednesday morning between the Parkway North and Fort Duquesne Bridge and the “bathtub” section of the Parkway East was expected to shut down at 10 a.m.

PennDOT advised motorists to avoid numerous state roads, which they closed or restricted due to flooding. Local police did, too.

Parts of Long Run Road and Lincoln Way in White Oak, Route 51 in Moon, Fifth Avenue in McKeesport, Route 837 in Dravosburg, Streets Run Road in Pittsburgh and Verona Road in Penn Hills were closed.

In Westmoreland County, Midget Camp Road in Fairfield, and Two Mile Run Road and Route 381 in Ligonier Township, Route 119 in Youngwood, Brinterton Road and Baltzer Meyer Pike in Hempfield, Lowber Road in Sewickley, Banning Road in South Huntingdon, Pine Run Road in Washington were closed due to flooding, PennDOT spokeswoman Laina Aquiline said. Ligonier Valley Police said sections of Peters, McKelvey and Peoples roads were also closed.

Part of Linn Run Road, which also goes by the name Darlington Rector Road, was closed Tuesday afternoon because of downed trees and wires in Cook and Ligonier townships.

In North Huntingdon, parts of Park Hill, Leger and Mahaffey Hill roads were closed, along with Route 993 near Quality Way, according to police. In Hempfield, Cribbs Station Road, Broadway Avenue, Fairgrounds Road, Hillis Street, Old Route 119 and Fry Hollow Road were closed, according to the township.

Numerous roads remained closed in Beaver County, including sections of Route 68 in Vanport and Midland.