Photo credit: NWS Pittsburgh (X)
Storms force school closures across the Pittsburgh region
Riverview School District canceled classes just before 10 p.m. Thursday. Officials cited downed power lines and unsafe roads. The closure gave road crews, utility workers and first responders time to clear conditions safely overnight.
Derry, Greater Latrobe, Hempfield and Plum also canceled classes. Bethel Park, Mt Lebanon and East Allegheny closed or shifted to flexible instruction days instead. Meanwhile, Franklin Regional and Fox Chapel chose two hour delays rather than full closures while crews worked through the night to clear roads.
Rain totals and rescues define the overnight storm
The storms dropped roughly 5 inches of rain on Verona alone. National Weather Service meteorologist David Shallenberger said rainfall that heavy typically arrives in August, not early September.
As a result, the downpours triggered flash flooding across Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Beaver, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. Cars sat trapped in floodwater at several spots, including Route 51 in Pittsburgh’s Brookline and Carrick neighborhoods, plus Thomas Jefferson Court and Paintertown Road in Irwin.
Crews responded to multiple vehicle rescues overnight as water rose faster than some drivers could react.
Downed trees and blocked roads complicate the response
Wind gusts reaching 70 mph toppled trees throughout the region. One Verona resident estimated a 100 foot tree took down Comcast and power lines near their home.
Route 130 and parts of Route 48 in Monroeville closed due to fallen trees and flooding. Reserve Township police shut down Spring Garden Road because of high water. Oakmont’s volunteer fire department reported hazardous conditions borough wide and urged residents to stay off the roads.
Ultimately, blocked routes, standing water and scattered debris left several communities largely cut off overnight. That left many districts facing a tough call hours later on whether campuses were safe enough to reopen Friday.
More rain possible before the weekend
Forecasters expect calmer conditions overnight. However, another round of storms could arrive this afternoon and bring strong wind gusts again.
Shallenberger said a second system may move through overnight Friday. That leaves crews only a narrow window to finish clearing roads and restoring power before more weather complicates recovery.
SOURCE: TRIBE LIVE
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