Strong storms, heavy downpours cause flash flooding in Western Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH —
Flash flooding was being reported in several areas of Western Pennsylvania as strong storms brought heavy rainfall to the region Thursday night.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 video showed cars in floodwaters on Route 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard) in the Brookline and Carrick area of the city of Pittsburgh.
During the height of the storms, powerful winds shook the cars on the Liberty Bridge in Pittsburgh. (See video below)
Two WPIAL high school football games — Moon Area vs. Bethel Park and North Hills vs. Seneca Valley — were canceled due to the weather.
At the Pavilion at Star Lake, concertgoers were instructed to shelter in place as the performance by Rufus du Sol was delayed.
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Flash Flood Warning
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for counties including Allegheny, Washington, Armstrong, Butler, Beaver, Fayette, Westmoreland and Indiana on Thursday night.
Thunderstorms are producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
IMPACT…Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include… Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Ross Township, McCandless Township, Monroeville, Moon Township, McMurray, Weirton, McKeesport, Franklin Park, Aliquippa, Canonsburg, Gastonville, Shaler Township, Plum, West Mifflin and North Side Pittsburgh.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include… Latrobe, Homer City, Mount Pleasant, McChesneytown-Loyalhanna, Blairsville, Derry, Lawson Heights, Ligonier, Black Lick, Calumet-Norvelt, New Florence, Seward, Bolivar, Youngstown, Laurel Mountain, Armagh, Donegal, Lucerne Mines and Jacksonville.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include… Monroeville, Greensburg, Jeannette, Vandergrift, Apollo, Murrysville, White Oak, Irwin, Manor, Trafford, Youngwood, Delmont, West Newton, New Stanton, Leechburg, North Apollo, West Leechburg and Avonmore.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include… McCandless Township, Cranberry, Franklin Park, East Liverpool, Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Monaca, Economy, Ellwood City, Wexford, New Brighton, Beaver, Calcutta, Baden, Zelienople, Rochester, Ohioville, Harmony Township and Seven Fields.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include… New Castle, Columbiana, East Palestine, Lisbon, Oakwood, Leetonia, New Castle Northwest, New Waterford, Big Beaver, New Beaver, Bessemer, Koppel, Wampum, South New Castle, New Galilee, Enon Valley, Darlington and Rogers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for counties including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland until 10 p.m.
Damaging winds are the top threat for the late-day round of thunderstorms.
The severe risk continues with damaging winds topping the storm threats list. Wind could gust above 70 mph especially to the northwest of Pittsburgh.
Large hail, heavy rain and a low tornado risk are also possible.