Ida's Impact: Cleanup Underway After Remnants Of Storm Cause Widespread Flooding, Damage

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Hurricane Ida made landfall on Sunday morning as a major Category 4 hurricane, bringing heavy winds, rain, storm surge, and flooding to the Gulf Coast. It has since been downgraded to a Tropical Depression and its remnants pushed through Western Pennsylvania Tuesday night and through Wednesday.

As Ida moves inland, stay with the KDKA Weather Team as we continue to monitor developments on how the storm could impact our area locally.

SCHOOL DELAYS & CLOSURES:
Flooding and heavy damage have prompted delays, closures and dismissals. Stay up to date on the list at KDKA.com/closings.

Thursday Updates

4:21 p.m. -- The Pittsburgh Parking Authority says the Mon Wharf will reopen on Friday.

2:20 p.m. -- One of the hardest hit areas on Wednesday was Oakdale. Cleanup is underway there. Some businesses owners were flooded from Ida and were closed Thursday. Those on Noblestown Road found their properties several feet underwater.

A line marking the side of Sil's Market shows how high water rose, destroying the basement. Just a few steps away, Our Cars Auto Detailing had more than 2 feet in the shop. Click here to read the full story.

12:50 p.m. -- The two-day total of rain at the Pittsburgh International Airport was 3.3 inches. That's also the normal monthly total of rain for September in Pittsburgh. Wednesday saw 2.31 inches of rain, a whopping 70 percent of the monthly normal rainfall that we see in September. Read more here.

11:50 a.m. -- Check out our photo gallery to survey the damage and flooding from across the region.

This is a new photo Thursday from Greensburg, Westmoreland County. Lynch Field is a flooded mess from the rain.

Wednesday Updates

7 p.m. -- Allegheny County officials report no deaths or injuries from the remnants of Ida. Click here to read more about what county leaders have to say about the next 36 hours.

6:03 p.m. - Until a little while ago, there was two feet of water in the streets in Oakdale. Earlier this morning, people say there was four feet.

It left a lot of mud and debris, but firefighters from the Oakdale Volunteer Fire Department made quick work of that.

5:22 p.m. -- A look at the mess left behind in South Park and Bridgeville.

Bridgeville: "Do you want to go, and I said, no. If it gets worse, call 911 and we'll send a boat," Lynn St. Clair said about being asked to evacuate in Bridgeville. "After every flood, I keep less there, than I did before. Every time it floods, just throw it all away because it's gone."

South Park: "We have the water rescue team out of Jefferson Hills making their way down the roadway checking homes one at a time and evacuating residents the best we can," said Jeff Guerriero, the Library Volunteer Fire Company Chief.

3:41 p.m. - Washington County hazmat has been called after a tank filled with home heating oil spilled into Raccoon Creek after Ida's wrath. Click here for more.

3:00 p.m. - Due to flooded roadways across the area, many roads have been shut down until the water recedes. Click here for a full list of closures.

2:44 p.m. - Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown and Public Works Director Stephen Shanle held a press conference.

They said while it appears that the worst of the rain is over, we're not out of the woods. They urged people to continue to use caution.

According to officials, Bridgeville, Scott Township and Millvale are under a state of emergency.

1:37 p.m. -- In Burgettstown, numerous areas were flooded.

1:21 p.m. - Flood Warnings have been issued for multiple counties in our area.

One Flood Warning has been issued for parts of east-central Westmoreland and Indiana counties. That's in effect until 4:15 p.m.

Another was issued for central Fayette, Westmoreland and southwestern Indiana counties until 4:15 p.m.

Meanwhile, one covering southeastern Fayette County, as well as parts of Preston, Tucker and Monongalia counties in West Virginia has been extended until 4:15 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - A shed in Avella was washed away by rising flood waters.

12:46 p.m. - Parts of Houston, Pennsylvania were heavily flooded. Video captured by KDKA's Amy Wadas shows a lone tire floating through high water on West Pike and Western.

12:45 p.m. - With the remnants of Ida moving through the area, All eyes are along the Monongahela and the Youghiogheny rivers for the next 24 to 36 hours, waiting to see how much they may or may not rise and/or flood. Read more. 

12:37 p.m. - A state of emergency has been declared in Scott Township.

12:14 p.m. - Crews in Shaler are hard at work, doing all they can to pump water out of homes that are dealing with flooding.

11:31 a.m. - With the remnants of Hurricane Ida causing rivers, creeks, ponds and streams to rise to dangerous levels, several roads have been shut down. Click here for a list.

11:27 a.m. - Gov. Tom Wolf, PEMA, PennDOT and State Police held a press conference to provide an update on the state's response to the heavy rain and significant flooding.

"This is an extremely dangerous storm that is impacting the entire state. As we continue to monitor the conditions, I ask everyone to please stay home if you're able," Gov. Wolf said. "If you must travel, please monitor the latest road conditions and weather updates. Please, I urge everyone to take this storm seriously and stay safe."

PEMA Director Randy Padfield said water rescue teams have been dispatched from parts of the state that will see less flooding to areas where more significant impacts are expected.

If you do need to drive, officials reiterated this statement: "turn around, don't drown."

9:28 a.m. - A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for parts of Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland, Armstrong, and Indiana counties until 3:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m. PennDOT has updated its list of closed roads due to flooding and downed utilities as of 9:00 a.m.

• Little Pine Creek Road in Shaler Township is closed between Wetzel Road and Marzolf Road due to downed trees and utilities.
• Piney Fork Road in South Park Township is closed between Connor Road and Snowden Road due to flooding.
• Route 50 in Carnegie Borough from Franklin Avenue to Hope Street in Scott Township is closed due to flooding.
• Streets Run Road in Baldwin Borough is closed between Brentwood Road and the City of Pittsburgh due to flooding.
• Route 48 in White Oak is closed at the intersection of Ripple Road due to flooding.
• Route 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard) is closed between Bausman Street and Whited Street in the City of Pittsburgh due to flooding.
• Seavy Road is closed at the intersection of Elbie Road in Shaler Township due to flooding.
• Freeport Road is closed between Boyd Avenue and Clifton Avenue in O'Hara Township due to flooding
• Presto Sygan Road is closed between Thoms Run Road in Collier Township and Newbury Highland in South Fayette Township due to a downed tree.
• Saxonburg Boulevard is closed at the intersection of McClure Road in West Deer Township due to flooding.
• McLaughlin Run Road is closed between Bower Hill Road in Bridgeville Borough and Route 19 in Upper St. Clair due to mudslides and debris on the roads.
• Mayview Road is closed between Boyce Road and Willowbrook Road in South Fayette Township due to flooding.

8:48 a.m. - The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium announced that due to the flooding and rain in the area, they will be closed to visitors on Wednesday.

8:45 a.m. - As of 8:45 a.m., Church and Pleasant streets in South Park Township have reopened as the water has since receded.

According to the Library Fire Chief, two homes were evacuated, with four adults and three children in total being evacuated.

8:40 a.m. - A lane restriction is in place on McClelland Road in North Strabane Township due to a mudslide.

The fire chief tells KDKA the concern right now is a telephone pole that has tipped over and that it could fall onto the road.

West Penn Power and PennDOT have been notified.

8:30 a.m. - In McKees Rocks on Graham Street between Helen and George Streets, a school bus attempted to drive through flood waters and stalled out.

Municipal employees were able to get everyone off the bus and a tow truck was able to remove the bus from the waters.

No injuries were reported.

8:19 a.m. - Due to flooding, Mayor Copeland has declared a disaster emergency in the borough.

Chris Hoffman will have more on the situation in Bridgeville on Pittsburgh's CW and CBSN Pittsburgh as more information becomes available.

8:10 a.m. - 40 students were removed from a school bus stuck on Seavy Road in Shaler Township after the bus became stuck in flood waters.

According to the Shaler Township Police Chief, no injuries were reported and the students were safely transported to school.

Shaler Area School has closed Kindergarten-6th grade today.

Meanwhile, middle school and high school are open and in session.

7:45 a.m. - In South Park Township, homes are being evacuated along Church Street due to flooding from Peters Creek.

The Port Authority has also closed the Library Silver Line as the tracks have been flooded.

7:30 a.m. - Several roads are shut down due to flooding and downed trees or wires.

Babcock Boulevard is closed from People's Plank to McKnight Road, Thompson Run Road is closed from Vilsack to Babcock Boulevard, and Union Avenue from 279 is closed.

7:15 a.m. - As flooding worsens in Bridgeville, the fire chief has told those in McLaughlin or Maple to evacuate.

7:10 a.m. - Pittsburgh Public Safety has activated the flood gates along Washington Boulevard.

Water has been rising steadily along Glass Run Road.

They are asking drivers to choose alternate routes.

6:50 a.m. - A portion of Route 51 is shut down and it appears a water rescue is underway due to flooding.

The flooding occurred near Bausman Street.

According to Pittsburgh Public Safety, "numerous" water rescues are being conducted.

They are warning motorists to heed all flood barriers and avoid driving through rising waters.

6:30 a.m. - PennDOT has announced the closure of several roads in Allegheny County due to flooding or downed trees and utilities.

• Little Pine Creek Road in Shaler Township is closed between Wetzel Road and Marzolf Road due to downed trees and utilities.
• Piney Fork Road in South Park Township is closed between Connor Road and Snowden Road due to flooding.
• Route 50 in Carnegie Borough from Franklin Avenue to Hope Street in Scott Township is closed due to flooding.
• Streets Run Road in Baldwin Borough is closed between Brentwood Road and the City of Pittsburgh due to flooding.
• Route 48 in White Oak is closed at the intersection of Ripple Road due to flooding.

6:24 a.m. - A Flash Flood warning is in effect for several counties in our area.

The warning is in place until 12:15 p.m.

6:20 a.m. - As we continue to track the rain, the area has watches and warnings.

KDKA's Mary Ours brought live updates on Facebook Live.

5:45 a.m. - Due to flooding, Valley Brook Road is closed.

The creek along the road has risen to nearly even with the street.

5:30 a.m. - As the South Hills wakes up to heavy rain and even some flooding, Andy Amreihn has been up since 3:00 a.m. preparing the Every True Value hardware store for those who need supplies to respond to the flooding.

"People know that I get here early, I'm a morning person, so they wanted the first chance of getting the pumps, and the carpet extractors, carpet dryers, squeegees, mops, everything they need to keep ahead of the raging water let's say," he said. "Part of our area, close to South Park, to the end of Bethel, and our Piney Fork watershed area, it's been known to flood and it did."

WATCH: Interview with Andy Amreihn

5:15 a.m. - According to PennDOT, they're already beginning to see issues in southern Allegheny County.

WATCH: Interview with PennDOT's Lori Musto

"They're seeing the creek levels rise, they're also seeing water run across the road," said PennDOT's Lori Musto. "The ground is so saturated, it's coming off the hillside and places we don't normally see it. They are seeing the creek levels rise."

5:05 a.m. - An Areal Flood Advisory has been issued for most of the area, including the Pittsburgh metro area as of 5:05 a.m. It will remain in place until 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service says areas that could experience flooding include:

• Pittsburgh
• Penn Hills
• Mt. Lebanon
• Bethel Park
• Ross Township
• McCandless Township
• Monroeville
• Moon Township
• McMurray
• Greensburg
• McKeesport
• Washington
• Franklin Park
• Jeannette
• Canonsburg

Rainfall of about 1 inch could result in minor flooding.

4:50 a.m. - One of the harder-hit areas by the heavy rains was Finleyville.

As Chris Hoffman captured, flooding and rushing water could be found at the corner of Aber Road and Lobbs Run Road.

4:11 a.m. - As of 4:10 a.m., as KDKA's Chris Hoffman tracks the rain and road conditions in the Mobile Weather Lab, so far, roads are just wet. No washouts or flooding.

3:55 a.m. - There is one active flood warning on Wednesday morning and it's for the Youghiogheny River.

Ron Smiley says there hasn't been much movement from the river but that could change as we get into the afternoon.

2:18 a.m. - Steady rain will roll in as the "core" of what was Hurricane Ida continues to move east along a station boundary that is guiding it.

This rain will continue throughout the morning through a big portion of the afternoon.

If you have pictures or videos you'd like to share of rain and flooding in your area, you can send them to us at newsdesk@kdka.com or submit them through this link.

Tuesday Updates

10:11 p.m. - After heavy rain throughout the area, the rains from Ida have a chance to trigger flash flooding throughout the area on Wednesday.

9:06 p.m. - Governor Tom Wolf signed a proclamation of disaster emergency ahead of the remnants of Hurricane Ida reaching the state.

"This dangerous storm continues to have devastating impacts across the South and as it heads toward Pennsylvania, we are expecting significant rainfall across the state. This proclamation will allow for our emergency preparedness teams to provide any support needed throughout the storm and its aftermath," Gov. Wolf said in a release. "I urge Pennsylvanians to monitor local weather and traffic conditions before making any plans and prepare for potential flooding."

Click here for more.

8:30 p.m. - West Virginia's governor declared a state of emergency in all 55 counties Tuesday due to the threat of flash flooding from Hurricane Ida's remnants. Click here to read more.

7:35 p.m. - There's heavy flooding in the area of Finleyville and Union Township. A creek spilling over its banks surrounded a home. KDKA's Ross Guidotti reports that traffic coming off Route 43 north or south is cut off and you should avoid the Finleyville area.

5 p.m. -- About 120 Pennsylvania National Guard members have been placed on active duty and are on stand-by as the remnants of Ida move toward the state. The members and 35 high-water capable vehicles are staged at several locations.

4 p.m. -- KDKA Meteorologist Kristin Emery says the first heavy bands of Ida's remnant rain will start arriving from 7 p.m. on. They will push north from Northern West Virginia and through Southwestern Pennsylvania up to the northeast.

Here is her timeline for the rainfall.

Click here for the full story and forecast.

3:20 p.m. -- The Pittsburgh Public Parking Authority is shutting down the Mon Wharf. The parking lot will be closed starting Wednesday until further notice.

5:45 a.m. - KDKA's Chris Hoffman reports live from the North Shore.

4:10 a.m. - The remnants of Ida are moving across north Alabama and Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky, moving closer to our area.

Monday Updates

6:07 p.m. - Two deaths have been attributed to the storm. Read more.

5:20 p.m. - KDKA Meteorologist Ray Petelin says right now the heaviest of the rain is timing to begin just before Wednesday morning's commute, with the steadiest of the heavy rain lasting into the afternoon. After that, waves of rain -- some heavy -- will remain possible.

Early model estimates show that rain amounts, especially south of Pittsburgh, could accumulate 3-5" or more. While the placement and intensity can change, there is high confidence that areas south of Pittsburgh will get heavy rainfall.

Full story here.

4:49 p.m. - Ida has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression.

10:24 a.m. - Rainfall totals for the week in the southern parts of our area could reach 6" or more.

5:41 a.m. - The National Weather Service says that 2-4" of rain are expected to arrive in the area between Tuesday night and Wednesday, with chances for more than that in some areas.

5:06 a.m. - Hurricane Ida has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm.

4:33 a.m. - The National Weather Service has issued flash flood watch for most of Western Pennsylvania, in effect from late Tuesday night through late Wednesday night.

Sunday Updates

10:21 p.m. - Widespread flooding could occur throughout the Pittsburgh area starting Tuesday and stretching into Wednesday.

8:44 p.m. - All power in New Orleans has been reported to be out due to "catastrophic transmission damage."

3:28 p.m. - The remnants of Ida are expecting to have an impact here in Western Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

12:55 p.m. - The storm made landfall just before 12:00 p.m. CDT at Port Fourchon as a Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds.

12:10 a.m. - Early on Sunday, the eye of Hurricane Ida moved closer towards the Gulf Coast, with landfall being expected by morning.

Stay with the KDKA Weather Team and CBS News for the latest developments on Hurricane Ida.

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