Allegheny County Declares Disaster Emergency Due To Flooding

PITTSBURGH, PA - Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald declared a countywide disaster emergency Monday to enable county and municipal governments to continue responding effectively to the flooding and related damages caused by the ongoing rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon. At present, five municipalities within the county already have current disaster declarations in place.

“Our region has seen more than six inches of rain since Saturday, and more is expected. In addition to flooding, we’re also seeing landslides, power outages, road closures and other emergency situations,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “I’ve issued this emergency declaration to ensure that Emergency Services has every tool that it may need available to it for response to assist our municipalities. While flood warnings have expired and rain showers are leaving the area, our department will begin its assessment of damages, and will do everything it can to assist in any recovery.”

The declaration authorizes county agencies to use all available resources and personnel as necessary to deal with the magnitude and severity of this emergency situation. Bid and contract procedures, as well as other formalities normally prescribed by law, are waived for the duration of the declaration.

Fitzgerald issued the disaster declaration on the recommendation of officials from Allegheny County Emergency Services.The department has been conducting a formal damage assessment process with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Western Area office.

More than seven inches of rain has fallen in parts of Allegheny County since Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Many closed roads made the Monday morning rush hour a nightmare for motorists and two key closures - the 10th Street Bypass and the so-called bathtub portion of the Parkway East between Grant Street and the Fort Pitt Bridge, will be closed during indefinitely..

The Ohio River is expected to crest at 27 feet before beginning to recede.

Image via National Weather Service.

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