Weather causes numerous accidents, flooded roads
A car rides along the median on West Maiden Street to avoid a flooded roadway Friday in Washington.
Courtesy of Nate Kepler
Water from heavy thunderstorms flooded the intersection at Park Avenue and South Main Street in Washington several times in June and July of 2017.
A South Strabane Township road crew begins work to remove a portion of a downed tree Friday afternoon on Munce Ridge Road.
The backyard of a home near Jefferson Ave., in Washington, was flooded at about 4 p.m. Friday after heavy rainfall swept across the area.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy pushed into Southwestern Pennsylvania Friday afternoon, causing flooded roads and numerous minor vehicle accidents throughout Washington and Greene counties.
A funnel cloud was seen by a weather spotter in Pine Bank, Greene County, and the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Washington, Greene and Fayette counties at mid-afternoon.
Heavy rains moved throughout Washington and Greene counties, and, coupled with a cold front, caused several downed trees and power outages.
Capt. George McMullen of Washington Fire Department said firefighters responded to more than a dozen emergency calls about car accidents, stranded motorists, flooded basements and rising waters.
McMullen said several vehicles were stranded in flood waters on West Maiden Street, and water levels approached four feet deep in the 300 block of Chestnut Street.
At Washington Park, mud from heavy rains flowed into the pool, which turned brown.
Several roads in both counties, including Brush Run Road in Amwell Township, were impassible because they were covered with water or damaged by wind.
Lone Pine Fire Department chief Dee Frazee Sr. said the torrential downpour and wind damaged several homes and garages.
“There are lots of massive trees down and there’s debris everywhere,” said Frazee, whose department was assisted by Amwell and Cokeburg fire departments.
Frazee said there were unconfirmed reports a tornado touched down in the area.
In South Strabane Township, road crews, who were awaiting the arrival of a backhoe to remove a portion of a tree that fell across Munce Ridge Road shortly before 5 p.m., said there were three other incidents of trees blocking township roads they were preparing to respond to Friday evening.
Flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm alerts were issued in both counties, and the National Weather Service estimated as much as four inches of rain could have fallen in locations that experienced a series of thunderstorms.
Communities in Washington and Greene counties Friday night began to assess damage caused by the strong thunderstorms, but residents weren’t out of the woods.
Flash flood watches were in effect in both counties until 2 a.m. today.
In Washington County, more than 5,000 customers lost power, while in Greene County, nearly 1,700 were without power Friday.
McMullen encouraged drivers not to drive through flood waters.