Western Pa. braces for more storms while coping with damage, flooding

Heavy rains and winds tore through several Western Pennsylvania counties Tuesday evening causing down power lines, trees and flooded roadways.

Swift water rescue teams in Butler County conducted 10 rescues to evacuate people from rising water in Zelienople, Forward Township, Harmony and Evans City, according to county dispatchers.

Butler County dispatchers said they’ve fielded calls nonstop in the evening hours for wires down, trees down and flooded basements, primarily in the southern parts of the county. They did not specify any communities. Some of the worst flooding hit Zelienople, just north of Cranberry, where streets were completely under water is parts of the downtown area.

The mayor there declared a state of emergency Tuesday evening.

Mayor declares State of Emergency in Zelienople after heavy rains flood streets https://t.co/mEJJJS3D3h pic.twitter.com/MCBXXUOkK7

— Gabriella DeLuca (@GabriellaDeLuca) May 29, 2019

The wild weather mostly has subsided for now, but it is expected to return Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Most of the region remains at an enhanced risk for severe weather, and is under a flash flood watch.

Break in the action this morning. Storms fire again this afternoon. In addition to the severe threat, we must also focus on flash flooding. Portions of the area received incredible amounts of rain yesterday. Won't take much to flood again. Flash flood watch has been issued. pic.twitter.com/IUm87K1cNN

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) May 29, 2019

Armstrong County dispatchers said many of their weather-related calls came from Kiski, North Buffalo and Parks townships. There were downed trees and flooded roadways in various parts of those communities.

Beaver County dispatchers said there were flooded roads in the northern parts of the county such as Franklin and North Sewickley townships.

Westmoreland County public safety officials said there were reports of flooded basements, flooded roadway in Washington Township and trees down in Fairfield and Cook townships.

Hail in Mars pic.twitter.com/9PGJrQr3ru

— Scott Harbaugh (@WPXIScott) May 28, 2019

In Allegheny County, Route 8 as of 5 a.m. Wednesday was closed in several places due to landslides and downed trees, according to dispatchers. The northbound lanes were closed at Duncan Avenue in Hampton Township and the both lanes were closed at Mount Royal Boulevard in Etna.

The rain forced officials at Stage AE on the North Shore to pause, then end, Tuesday’s Juice WRLD show and instruct fans to seek shelter at Heinz Field or the Delmonte Building.

National Weather Service in Pittsburgh issued flash flood warnings from about 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for southern Indiana and Armstrong counties, southeastern Butler County, northeastern Allegheny County and northern Westmoreland County.

The warning was continued for Indiana, New Kensington and Lower Burrell areas until 12:30 a.m.

Flash Flood Warning continues for Indiana PA, New Kensington PA, Lower Burrell PA until 12:30 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/HrbZO4quyy

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) May 29, 2019

As of 11 p.m. West Penn Power reported almost 3,000 customers without power each in Armstrong and Butler counties. Many of these outages were repaired overnight — about 500 customers in Butler County and 330 in Armstrong remained without power as of 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Almost 800 West Penn Power customers were without power in Westmoreland County and about 233 in Allegheny County.

Duquesne Light was reporting almost 1000 customers without power in its entire coverage area.