Fayette County hit hard by flooding; Connellsville declares state of emergency

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — A state of emergency was declared Sunday night in Connellsville after flooding that turned streets into rivers and left people stranded.

Fayette County emergency dispatchers said Sunday that multiple vehicles were stuck in high water along Route 119 in Bullskin Township just after 9 p.m., and water rescue teams were deployed.

Channel 11's Jennifer Tomazic learned that crews helped several people to safety amid the flooding in Fayette County. Emergency dispatchers said there were some injuries, but the extent was unclear.

One couple told Tomazic that they were rescued after sitting on the roof of their Bullskin Township home for two hours. The normally inches-high water in the creek behind their home on Breakneck Road rose several feet.

“I never thought it would come up this high, never in a billion years,” the homeowner, identified only as Mark, said.

When water could be heard pounding against the door, Mark and his wife, identified only as Patty, went outside and used a ladder to get onto the roof. The water took bricks off the front of their house, wedged a tree under an addition, destroyed a pool and washed their shed down the street, along with cars.

“I'm happy we are safe. This all can be replaced. We're still here,” Patty said.

Robert McLuckey’s basement was hit hard with damaging flood waters despite having drain pipes and pumps in place, destroying yearbooks and photos.

“You take it in strides. We’ll fall back a little bit and regroup sort of speak. Hopefully before too long we’ll be back to normal,” McLuckey said.

Another hard-hit area was the east end of Connellsville, near Connell Avenue. In the Dutch Bottom area, the New Haven Hose Co. went door to door to help people who needed to be rescued.

Connellsville Mayor Greg Lincoln provided updates on Facebook, including the following message posted just after 10:30 p.m. Sunday:

"We have now declared a state of emergency in Connellsville. If you live down in the area of north end please go to the highest point in your homes. As soon as rescue boats arrive we will be coming to get residents out of danger. We are working to set up a shelter at NHH for people to go. I will update more soon. Please say a prayer for our town. Thank you."

Lincoln told Channel 11 flood waters reached up to 5 feet in some homes. He also said dozens of people came to the area last night just to see the flooding causing a major problem.

“Last night when the flood started, there were a hundred or so people coming down just to see the flood,” he said.

A curfew has been issued from 7:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. to keep sightseers out of the area.

“We’re going to make sure that no one who’s not supposed to be down here tonight is here,” Lincoln said.

Lincoln told Channel 11 flood waters reached up to 5 feet in some homes. He also said dozens of people came to the area Sunday night just to see the flooding causing a major problem.

“Last night when the flood started, there were a hundred or so people coming down just to see the flood,” he said.

A curfew was issued from 7:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. to keep sightseers out of the area.

“We’re going to make sure that no one who’s not supposed to be down here tonight is here,” Lincoln said.

Lincoln said the East Park area was flooded, 711 around the Honey Bear Gas Station was shut down because of flooding, and Crawford and Pittsburgh streets were underwater.

In Bullskin Township, a bridge needed to be taped off after a sinkhole opened along Breakiron Road.

Water was restored Monday evening for about 65 Pennsylvania American Water customers living on Breakneck Road, Breakiron Road and East End Extension. A boil water advisory was put in place for the customers until further notice. Officials said water should be boiled for a minimum of one minute before consumption.

A tanker with water has been made available at Breakneck Market on Breakneck Road and at the Bullskin Fire Station on Keefer Road. Customers are asked to bring their own containers.

Donations to help people affected by the flooding are being collected at Breakneck Market.

Route 119 on the border of Connellsville and Bullskin Township was closed at East Crawford Avenue. The southbound lanes between Pleasant Valley Road and Bellview Road reopened around 3 p.m. Monday. Crews were still working on the northbound lanes and estimated that they would reopen around 7 p.m. Monday.

The Connellsville Area School District and Conn-Area Catholic School were closed on Monday and Tuesday.

"There’s a lot of parents that rely on this school to have pretty much child care while they go to work during the day,” Nicole Prinkey said.

Connellsville Area School District officials announced Tuesday that the start of school would be pushed back to Sept. 6.

Philip Martell, the district's superintendent, released a statement that said, in part:

In the meantime, teachers and neighbors are working to collect school supplies for students who may have lost everything.

"Our hockey team is donating 30 to 40 backpacks filled with all the supplies they need,” high school teacher Beth Shreve said.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross are taking cases, filling needs and sorting donations.

"And that's what our case work teams will be out doing damage assessment, talking to their folks (and) finding out where do we go from here the next several days,” Grant Wilson, with the American Red Cross said.

Donation sites for donors and victims have been established at the following locations:

• New Haven Hose Co.
• Connellsville Township Fire Department
• Connellsville Community Ministries

Monetary donations, cleaning supplies and non-perishable food and drinks are needed. Anyone who has questions or would like more information about donating can contact the American Red Cross at 724-438-2567, Ext. 1.

Cox Media Group