Pittsburgh Officials Update Flood Preparation Efforts

PITTSBURGH, PA - The worst of the anticipated weekend flooding hasn’t begun yet, but high waters already have resulted in the closure of the Mon Wharf and 10th Street Bypass, both Downtown.

As the city prepares for forecasted rains of more than 3 inches over the weekend, water-saturated ground might have triggered a landslide that has closed Commercial Street in Squirrel Hill between Beechwood Boulevard and Swisshelm Park.

How high will the rivers rise? Expect the 25-foot Downtown flood stage to be reached by Sunday morning and crest at 26 feet by Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Even before those levels are reached, city officials warned in a statement that flood-prone roads such as River Avenue in the North Side, Washington Boulevard in Lincoln-Larimer and the so-called bathtub section of the westbound Parkway East are among the streets that could have to be closed.

The city Public Safety Department is readying flood response units and swift water rescue teams, preparing pumps and generators and coordinating emergency operations with Allegheny County Emergency Services. The city Department of Public Works is clearing debris from roadway catch basins and readying barricades in routinely flooded areas such as the North Shore and South Side.

City officials advised that the asphalt in 1,265 potholes that were patched in the city during a pothole blitz between Monday and Wednesday will be dislodged during the heavy rains. The potholes will need to be patched again when the weather improves.

The Mayor's Office is developing plans to connect any families that need to be evacuated with needed services.

Residents should call 911 to report any emergency situations such as flooding or landslides and contact 311 regarding potholes and other non-emergency issues.

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and county officials will provide a briefing on county’s preparations for the forecasted flooding later this afternoon.

2011 file photo of 10th Street Bypass flooding: Associated Press.