Rain wreaks havoc on roads

Flooding closes streets throughout the region

Torrential rain pummeled southwestern Pennsylvania on Thursday, pushing the precipitation to record levels as it turned local streets and major highways alike into gushing waterways.

The rain brought total precipitation for 2019 so far to more than 30 inches, nearly an inch more than at this time in 2018 in what became a record- setting year.

Road after road flooded, causing detours throughout the region that stymied motorists as they tried one route after another to get where they were going.

Another storm expected to pass through the area during the afternoon and evening hours stayed mostly to the west and south of Allegheny County, but 2.31 inches of rain had already fallen at Pittsburgh International Airport by Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

“Allegheny County didn’t need any more rain,” said Rich Redmond, a meteorologist with the weather service in Pittsburgh.

Some of the hardest- hit areas were just north of the city, including Millvale, Aspinwall and O’Hara. Sections of Routes 28, 8 and 65 as well as Interstate 376 were closed at times due to flooding.

Several Millvale residents worked alongside local volunteer fire departments to clean homes, driveways and streets after the storm caused flooding of Girty’s Run, a tributary of the Allegheny River. They knew what to do.

“You put the cat upstairs so she doesn’t get in the way. You move the car up to higher ground. You make sure you have cold water for the firemen,” said Anna Bruns, 52.

Although her home didn’t suffer much water damage from flooding, Ms. Bruns said she has learned to prepare.

“I don’t know what can be done to prevent this,” the Butler Street resident said. “But everyone in this community helps each other out.”

Millvale Mayor Brian Spoales also was out helping residents Thursday and said emergency officials rescued nine people and two dogs on Butler and Sedgwick streets.

He said he’s not certain how to prevent flooding as development continues on higher ground, which creates even more water issues for downstream communities.

Volunteer firefighters used pumps to suck water from flooded basements. Pressurized water hoses were used to remove caked mud and grit on the street.

“This is nothing compared to last year,” Mr. Spoales said, referring to July 5, 2018, when a storm flooded Millvale’s business district and deposited about a foot of mud in the streets.

Water levels at Girty’s Run reached a peak of 12.3 feet by noon Thursday — a 10- foot increase

from its usual 2- foot depth — and nearly 1 ½ feet over its flood stage.

In Highland Park, heavy rain activated the floodgates on Washington Boulevard about 8:30 a.m. At one point, two vehicles became stuck on the heavily traveled road before the floodgates lowered as water flowed off Highland Drive. The rain also flooded nearby Allegheny River Boulevard. Emergency crews reported rescuing several other stranded motorists throughout the area.

For nearly an hour, floodwaters blocked access to UPMC St. Margaret near Aspinwall, forcing ambulances to be rerouted from the hospital along Freeport Road, which was closed between Brilliant Avenue and Delafield Avenue. Emergency crews eventually opened up Delafield to EMS units only.

Including Thursday’s storm, the Pittsburgh region has received 30.02 inches of precipitation so far this year. As of July 11, 2018, 29.35 inches of precipitation had fallen in the area.

The region’s all- time record for precipitation in a year was set in 2018 with a total of 57.83 inches.

Mr. Redmond said “we’re on track” to surpass 2018 in precipitation, but he noted that last year’s total was boosted by the remnants of two tropical storms that passed through the area in September. Of course, that could happen again depending on how the 2019 hurricane season unfolds, he said.

Across the state, flash flood watches were in effect from Harrisburg to Philadelphia through late Thursday as potentially strong thunderstorms moved in.

But the region is projected to get at least a short reprieve from the wet weather this weekend. The next possible shower — which would likely stay south of the city — is expected to be Sunday.

Friday was expected to be slightly cloudy with a high around 80 degrees, and temperatures will increase Saturday and Sunday.

The region could potentially stay dry through Tuesday, Mr. Redmond said.

“The story as we move through next week will be the heat and humidity,” he said.

Stephanie Strasburg/ Post- Gazette Two cars are submerged by floodwaters Thursday along Route 130 in Penn Hills.

Michael M. Santiago/ Post- Gazette Jack Parish, owner of Barking Shark Bar and Grill in Millvale, hoses mud off the sidewalk in front of his business after flash flooding Thursday. Mr. Parish lost everything stored in his basement. “When something like this happens, it hits you right in the gut,” he said. Flooding cost him $ 14,000 last year, he said.

Peter Diana/ Post- Gazette Heavy rains passing through the Pittsburgh area opened a sinkhole Thursday at the intersection of McKnight Circle and McKnight Road in the North Hills.