Ice Jam On Allegheny River Causing Problems

NEW KENSINGTON (KDKA) – A Westmoreland County dock was destroyed Sunday morning after large chunks of ice broke free from an ice jam on the Allegheny River.

Sometime Sunday morning, marina owner Blair Cessna said he heard a loud crash and saw huge chunks of ice wiping out his dock in New Kensington, just off of Logan's Ferry Road.

Witnesses say it only took a few seconds for the ice to destroy the dock.

"I opened my back door," Danielle Cessna said. "You could see, there it was, you could see our upper dock, just flipping up, splitting in half and just started taking the rest."

Blair Cessna says it's the first time since 1994 his marina has been damaged -- the damage will probably cost him $20,000 in repairs.

Click on the photo to see more of the ice jam:

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

"Ice is a force to be reckoned with," he said.

Neighbors say the huge ice jam, just north of the New Kensington Bridge, hasn't moved for a few days. It's being watched closely by the National Weather Service.

The NWS has also issued a flood watch until Thursday due the threat of ice jams along the Allegheny River.

Stay with KDKA for more information.

Westmoreland County