BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. — Officials declared a countywide disaster emergency in Allegheny County on Wednesday afternoon caused by flooding and related damage from heavy rains on June 20.
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced the move and said he expects damage figures to be in the millions of dollars.
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“This emergency declaration is just one step in trying to provide relief to our residents, business owners and municipalities, and has been shared with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency,” he said in a statement. "The devastation is substantial. While Emergency Services is continuing its damage assessments, we expect that losses will exceed millions of dollars in damages."
The declaration allows county agencies to use resources and personnel as necessary to deal with the cleanup. Bid and contract procedures are waived for the duration of the declaration.
Mountains of debris were pulled from McLaughlin Run Creek in Bridgeville, where one woman also died during flash flooding.
The debris field of dumpsters, cars, trees and steel beams stretches for 600 feet.
The inside of the Railyard Grill and Tap Room has been gutted after it was destroyed by floodwaters and then cleared by fire and water disaster restoration crews.
"This was blood, sweat and tears for a year leading up to when we opened it," said Jeremy Robinson. "To take a chance on a new venue, just something we're passionate about. We put our livelihoods into this."
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The Railyard is just one of numerous businesses and homes in Bridgeville damaged by last week's floodwaters.
The declaration authorizes county agencies to use all available resources and personnel as necessary.
Crews are still working to clear roadways like Baldwin Street, and on nearby Commercial Street, the debris is piled up two football fields long.
"It has been nice just to hear that they have genuine concern for the whole area," Robinson said. "Our hearts are broken for the families that live down in Baldwin Street that literally escaped with just the clothes on their backs."