By
Madeline Bartos
Strong storms swept through the Pittsburgh area on Thursday, tearing down trees and flooding backyards and roadways.
Calling it a “1 in 100 year event,” the city of Pittsburgh said the storm dropped more than 2.5 inches of rain in less than an hour in some parts of the city, with winds up to 70 mph.
Citing the National Weather Service, the city said the region saw between 2.6 and 4 inches of total rainfall, with 3.2 inches reported at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland.
The heavy rain stranded drivers in their vehicles, and the city said Pittsburgh police helped swift water crews. The strong winds brought down trees and power lines, leaving tens of thousands of people without power.
As the area continues to clean up, with another round of storms expected later Friday, here’s a look at some of the damage left behind on Thursday.
Heavy rain left a backyard in Bethel Park flooded.
(Photo: Jessica Sturgiss)
Crews rescued someone from floodwaters in the city of Pittsburgh.
(Photo: Pittsburgh Public Safety)
A large tree on Griffin Avenue in Canonsburg was torn out of the ground.
(Photo: Ahleah Refi)
A road near the Sheetz in West Mifflin flooded.
(Photo: Camryn Santiago Ruby)
A severe storm rolled through Monaca.
(Photo: Ashley Welsh)
A bolt of lightning pierced the sky near the Mansfield Bridge.
(Photo: Maggie Rosol)
A severe storm darkened the sky near the Mansfield Bridge.
(Photo: Maggie Rosol)
A large tree was uprooted in the area of Maryland Avenue and 10th Street in Oakmont Borough.
KDKA Photojournalist Brian Smithmyer
A McDonald’s in Plum flooded after heavy rainfall.
(Photo: Tommy DeFazio)
The Rostraver Township Fire Department said it helped with a water rescue in Westmoreland County during flash flooding.
(Photo: Rostraver Township Fire Department/Facebook)
The storm uprooted a large tree in Jeannette.
(Photo: Jeri Zielinski)
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