Curfew ordered for Butler neighborhoods affected by flooding

BUTLER, Pa. — UPDATE 9:45 p.m.

The mayor of Butler has ordered an emergency declaration after flooding affected the city Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

he has ordered a curfew for the affected neighborhoods,

That means it will be unlawful for any person who is not a resident to be in the area.

Donaldson added that unless someone is helping those affected, it's best to avoid the area so cleanup workers aren't dealing with extra traffic.

UPDATE: 5 p.m. 

A family of 10 is cleaning up after their Butler County home was badly damaged by floodwaters.

Joe Fredrick said the water was so high that it took out his first floor. The home is no longer livable.

Fredrick said his children, the youngest of whom are 3-year-old twins, were "confused and worried, but fine now. I have a whole lot of damage cleanup to do."

The water came from a creek behind the family's home. The damage stretched for two blocks along West Jefferson Street, and Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson is reaching out to state and federal officials for help.

TRENDING NOW:

• Mother shares heartbreak over son's baby blanket death to warn other parents
• Police officer accused of assaulting 14-year-old boy
• Police: Teen girls busted for trespassing in water park thanks to Snapchat
• VIDEO: Mother, baby rescued from stalled car in Butler Co. flooding

"Butler is strong, looking back. We come back after every problem we've had," Donaldson said.

Another family was rescued Wednesday when its car stalled in the flooding and filled with water while its 7-month-old baby was in the car.

"It took five seconds for it to rise 6 inches. It was scary," said Jasmine Hankins, the baby's mother.

Hankins said she and her mother-in-law were panicking, but water never touched the baby, who slept through the ordeal.

Firefighters grabbed the baby first, and the family members said they have nothing but praise for the firefighters who rescued them.

"I can't believe we made it out OK," Hankins said.

On West Diamond Avenue in the west end of Butler, firefighters worked Thursday to pump out water from flooded basements.

Flash flooding turned streets into rivers and stranded drivers who had to be rescued. Homeowners also moved quickly as the heavy rain filled up their homes.

Resident Janet Haugh, who had 4 feet of water in the basement of her home, said she lost everything and doesn't have flood insurance.

The American Red Cross is continuing to assist flood victims, and people who need assistance are asked to call 211.

UPDATE: 1:46 p.m. 

A shelter has been opened at the First Lutheran Church at 241 North Main St., Butler, PA, 16001, at the intersection with East Brady Street.  The shelter will be staffed by the American Red Cross, and people who need help should call 211.

The Red Cross is stationed at the Butler City Fire Department at 110 N. Washington St., in Butler.

To be put on a list to have your basement pumped out, contact the Butler City Fire Department at 724-283-3100.

The Red Cross is also handing out cleanup kits to residents.

UPDATE 12:14 p.m. 

Firefighters continued pumping out water from flooded basements Thursday, a day after flash flooding turned streets into rivers. Some drivers needed to be rescued from waist-high water and homeowners were caught off guard when heavy rain poured into their homes.

Red Cross volunteers were in the community Thursday distributing meals donated by Walmart. Disaster assessment volunteers are meeting with residents to determine if lodging or other assistance is needed.

Earlier on Thursday, 10 residents went to the Butler City Fire Department reception center and were provided breakfast courtesy of McDonald's.

Anyone who needs assistance is asked to call 211.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

UPDATE 6:15 a.m.

Residents in Butler and Butler Township are struggling with widespread flooding after rounds of heavy storms overnight.

Several roads are closed and rescue teams are helping people out of stranded cars.

Dan Saelar was with friends at a bar when the waters began to rise.

"It started raining and never stopped raining," he said. "It was a foot of water, then 3 feet of water. T

submerged

Even with warnings, there wasn't much residents could do.

"I got the flash flooding alert on my phone, and 10 minutes later it was up to my waist," Lyric Cooper said.

Matt Perotti had a similar experience.

"I turned onto the street. It was just wet," he said. "And then you were in a lake. It was just that quick."

The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Butler City Fire Department on Washington Street.

Any storms that develop Thursday will be very slow-moving, leading to prolonged periods of heavy rain. Isolated areas of flooding will be possible where these storms set up.

will close out the week. Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will cross the area through Friday night.

On Friday, the risk of strong storms will go up as a cold front moves through the area. A few thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening will bring wind gusts in excess of 40 mph and very heavy rain.

Cox Media Group