Record-Breaking Rain Slams Pittsburgh, Flood Warnings Issued

PITTSBURGH, PA — Several flood warnings are in effect Friday after record-breaking rainfall soaked the Pittsburgh area, closing numerous roads and forcing some people to evacuate their homes.

Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh issued a flood warning for Allegheny, southern Armstrong, Beaver, southern Butler, Fayette, Greene, west central Indiana, southern Lawrence, Washington and western Westmoreland counties.

The warnings came after nearly 3 inches of rain fell in Pittsburgh on Thursday, shattering the old daily record of 1.46 inches set in 1933, according to the NWS.

"(April 11) was the 25th wettest day on record (records back to 1871)," the NWS said on X. "This is already the 3rd wettest April on record and will likely be the 1st by the end."

Rains are expected to continue Friday afternoon into Friday night, according to the latest forecast. Coupled with the chance for thunderstorms, up to a half-inch of new rainfall is possible.

A wind advisory is also in effect for much of the region through 7 a.m. Saturday. According to forecasters, wind gusts up to 45 mph are expected Friday into Friday night. Coupled with the "extremely saturated ground," forecasters said there's a chance winds could down trees and power lines.

The Ohio River in downtown Pittsburgh has already reached more than 21 feet due to heavy rains, according to the NWS, and is expected to reach nearly 25 feet by Friday night. Flood stage is 25 feet.

Some residents on North Scenic Drive in South Buffalo Township were forced to evacuate their homes Thursday night due to rising river levels, TribLive.com reported. A shelter was opened at the South Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department to help those displaced by the flooding.

Etna borough also issued an evacuation order Thursday night as Pine Creek reached levels of 14 feet above normal, the borough said on Facebook.

In Washington County, McDonald Borough declared a state of emergency, citing extensive damage throughout the town, WPXI reported.

Floodwaters also prompted PennDOT to close several roads in the area, including the “bathtub” section of westbound I-376 in Pittsburgh.

At noon, the following roads were closed or restricted in Allegheny County:

• CLOSED: Route 8 (Washington Boulevard) between Route 130 (Allegheny River Boulevard) and Negley Run Road
• CLOSED: Route 48 at Ripple Road in White Oak Borough – ClosedRoute 1013 (Saxonburg Boulevard) between Reaghard Drive and Ramsey Road in West Deer Township
• CLOSED: Route 1034 (Bull Creek Road) between Route 366 and Lardintown Road in Fawn Township
• CLOSED: Route 2001 (Bunola River Road) between Cliff Mill Drive and Elkhorn Road in Forward Township
• CLOSED: Route 2046 (Streets Run Road) between Glass Run Road and Brentwood Road in the City of Pittsburgh
• CLOSED: Route 2058 (Verona Road) between Sandy Creek Road and Mt. Carmel Road
• CLOSED: Route 3026 (Millers Run Road) between Crest Street and Morgan Hill Road in South Fayette Township
• LANE RESTRICTIONS: Route 3048 (Noblestown Road) between Gormley Avenue and Laurel Hill Road in North Fayette Township
• CLOSED: Route 3072 (Montour Run Road) between I-376 and Marketplace Boulevard in Moon Township
• CLOSED: Route 3075 (Hookstown Grade Road) between Montour Run Road and FedEx Drive in Moon Township
• CLOSED: Route 3103 (McKee Road) between Route 978 and Crossroads Drive in Oakdale Borough
• LANE RESTRICTIONS: Route 4036 (Big Sewickley Creek Road) between Hoenig Road and Turkeyfoot Road in Bell Acres Borough
• LANE RESTRICTIONS: Route 4036 (Big Sewickley Creek Road) between Camp Meeting Road and Metz Road in Belle Acres Borough
• CLOSED: Route 4080 (Toms Run Road/Duff Road) between Ohio River Boulevard and Duff Road in Allepo and Kilbuck townships

In Pittsburgh, all parks and trails closed Thursday due to flooding but have since reopened, TribLive.com reported.

Allegheny County spokeswoman Abigail Gardner told the publication that county emergency crews will be canvassing the county this afternoon to assess the damage.

According to forecasters, rain will move out of the area by Saturday. Western Pennsylvania residents can expect dry and chilly conditions Saturday. Temperatures will warm on Sunday, but a chance of showers is possible.