Flooding closes roads in Washington, Greene counties
A manhole cover is lifted by water Tuesday along Chestnut Street at Chestnut Plaza in Washington.
A manhole cover is lifted by water Tuesday along Chestnut Street at Chestnut Plaza in Washington.
DiCio Street near Mitchell Drive in North Strabane Township was partially flooded Tuesday, and adjacent properties were underwater.
Heavy rain Monday night and early Tuesday coupled with melting snow caused flooding on several roads in Washington and Greene counties.
“Greene County has been the most affected,” said Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer for the state Department of Transportation. “It has been a combination of the rain and snow.”
Areas affected by flooding were the “usual suspects” and no damage to buildings was reported, Greene County Emergency Services Director Greg Leathers said.
“It’s the low-lying, poor drainage areas,” Leathers said. “As fast it was going to go up, it will go down. It’s been fairly quiet.”
He said areas along the Monongahela River were being monitored, but there did not appear to be any issues there.
National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Rehak said rivers would continue to rise Tuesday night and recede this afternoon.
“The rivers are going to rise a bit, but they’re all well below any flood stage,” Rehak said.
Water levels were expected to rise three to five feet from Tuesday morning through this morning.
Ofsanik said some roads were reopened, while others closed throughout the day Tuesday as the rain gave way to a brief snow.
Flooding also was reported on Washington Street in Washington, said Ron Sicchitano, emergency operations officer for the Washington County Department of Public Safety. Sicchitano said Claysville firefighters were called to one resident who reported a flooded basement.
In North Strabane Township, police said a portion of DiCio Street was closed Tuesday morning near McClelland Road.
According to public works director Harry Hayman, the failure of underground drainage pipes on private property is to blame for flooding in the area.
He said homeowners covered a drainage ditch when they put in driveways along DiCio Street and pipes underneath the driveways are collapsing.
Hayman said the township attempted to obtain 15-foot easements from property owners in order to fix the problem about 10 years ago, but one owner would not agree.
“We’re not allowed to do anything because it’s private property,” he said. “There’s not much we can do. Everybody has to sign the easement.”
Police also said some flooding was reported by a passerby on Route 519 near Agway.
Center Church Road leading to Peters Lake Park in Peters Township also was closed Tuesday morning because of weather and road conditions.
Most closed roads in Washington and Greene counties reopened by late Tuesday.