Storms Cause Flash Flooding In Southern Allegheny Co.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Heavy rains from Thursday night's storms caused some flash flooding in parts of the area; and as daylight came Friday, officials and residents were assessing the damage and cleaning up.
Areas of southern Allegheny County saw the worst of the flooding.
Emergency crews were called out as waters rose last night, trying to keep drivers and residents safe.
Many streets had to be closed off, including roads in Baldwin, Mount Lebanon, Pleasant Hills and Whitehall.
Streets Run Road in Baldwin saw heavy flash flooding.
Over in the Hays section of the city, rafts were brought in as the water got higher.
John Reitmeyer, the head maintenance guy at Holy Angels Church in Hays began getting calls from volunteers early Friday morning asking if he needed help with the clean up after flash flooding overnight.
"We didn't really get any damage into any of the buildings; just the parking lots have a glaze of mud on them, a lot of debris. We'll have a water truck come in and squirt it off, get it back to normal," said Reitmeyer.
That's what many had to deal with at first light, mud and debris that heavy rain and flash flooding had left behind, especially in the Hays community.
Several cars were covered in mud, streets covered with mud and soggy backyards left homeowners like Eileen Halsaver frustrated.
People who live on Calera Street say the stretch is famous or infamous for flooding when it rains. Thursday night was no different.
Halsaver and her family have lived on the street for nearly 40 years and have seen their share of flooding.
"All the water comes down from Baldwin and lands on us down here," she said.
KDKA's Brenda Waters: "Is there a creek behind you? "
Halsaver: "Yes, it comes all the way up the yard."
Looking back at Thursday night where firefighters had to turn motorists around so they would not drive in flood waters, debris and mud, there was no doubt about how Friday morning would turn out.
"In the past we've lost cars and trucks, and the city won't do anything," she said.
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