Record Rainfall in Pittsburgh Suburb Leads to Evacuations: Streets Closed and Bridges Shuttered

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Streets Evacuated in Pittsburgh Suburb After Record Rainfall

Torrential rain triggered flash flooding in the Pittsburgh area, prompting some residents to evacuate. Pittsburgh officials closed several bridges after more than two dozen barges broke loose late Friday and floated uncontrolled down the Ohio River, some plunging over local dams.

Uncontrolled Barges Threaten the Ohio River

Around 11:30 p.m., officials responded to 26 barges moving downriver. One barge is still unaccounted for as of Saturday morning. Three of the barges were empty, and 23 carried cargo such as coal, but there were no hazardous materials on board, according to the city officials’ news release.

No one was reported injured, and there are no reports of any barges colliding with bridges or causing pollution. However, Peggy’s Harbor on the Ohio River’s northern bank suffered significant damage.

Bridges Closed for Safety Measures

Officials closed the West End Bridge, a rail bridge to Brunot Island, and the McKees Rocks Bridge as a precautionary measure. The West End Bridge, located just west of downtown Pittsburgh, and the McKees Rocks Bridge were both subsequently reopened Saturday morning after careful assessment of potential risks.

The decision to close the bridges was made to ensure the safety of the structures as the barges passed near them. Authorities were reluctant to take any risks with bridge integrity.

Barge Incident Raises Concerns over Bridge Safety

The incident with the wayward barges, occurring over two weeks after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore, has increased concerns about the safety of the valuable U.S. bridge network. Pittsburgh, renowned for its iconic bridges spanning several rivers, has encountered a situation highlighting the crucial need for continuous infrastructure monitoring and maintenance across the nation.

Status of the Barges

A total of 11 barges have been located and held by a tugboat near Brunot Island. However, 14 barges are still unaccounted for and continue to travel downstream. Nine barges have gone over the Emsworth Dam, located approximately 4 miles downstream from Brunot Island, and four have made it beyond the Dashields Dam, about 7 miles from the Emsworth Dam.

Authorities have identified the barges as owned or operated by the Campbell Transportation Company, situated downstream along the Ohio River from the McKees Rocks Bridge. Despite attempts to establish contact, the company remains unreachable as investigations continue.

Flooding Warning and Investigation

During the incident, the National Weather Services extended a flood warning for the Ohio River near Pittsburgh. The release of flood waters from upstream led to river levels reaching 25 feet, exceeding the flood stage.

The cause of the barges breaking loose remains under investigation. The U.S. Coast Guard is focused on locating the still unaccounted for vessel and ensuring the safety of the surroundings.