City of Pittsburgh Responds to Thursday’s Storm
Pittsburgh, PA – In response to yesterday’s severe storm, the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Safety Bureaus, Department of Public Works, Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, Emergency Management & Homeland Security and more had crews working throughout the night.
The storm recorded dropping more than 2.5 inches of rain in less than an hour in some parts of the city, with winds up to 70 mph. The National Weather Service has reported that the Pittsburgh region saw between 2.6 and 4 inches of total rainfall with 3.2 inches recorded at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland. The storm is being considered equivalent to a 1 in 100 year event and the heavy downfall led to flooding, downed trees, downed wires and other dangerous conditions.
Thankfully, there were no reported storm-related injuries or EMS transports to the hospital in connection with the storm. EMS responded to over 60 calls during the storm.
Swiftwater rescue teams from both the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire and Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS assisted dozens of motorists who were stranded in their vehicles across the city, including nearly 30 vehicles that became trapped in floodwaters along the Saw Mill Run Boulevard/Route 51 corridor.
Swift water teams rescued a trapped UPS driver from a flooded underpass on Beechwood Boulevard, placing them in their boat and paddling to safety. Fire Engine & Truck 4 assisted multiple trapped individuals from vehicles on Technology Drive at Bates Street and Fire Boat 1 attended to a boat that became disabled during the storm, securing the crew and occupants, and towing the vessel safely to a marina.
The Pittsburgh Police assisted swift water crews and rescues, assisted with stranded vehicles and closed flooded roadways to traffic until water receded. Police responded to an individual trapped in a car on Northumberland Street in Squirrel Hill and were able to get them out of the vehicle to safety.
City first responders and other crews are continuing to work throughout the city and will continue to work around the clock with the next round of anticipated storms.
Duquesne Light is reporting over 18,000 customers remain without service out of the 60,000 who lost power during the storm. Crews are continuing to work around the clock to restore service. A map of outages is available here on Duquesne Light’s website. Customers can also access their outage support page.
There are still several intersections throughout the city where traffic lights are either flashing or not working due to storm. When traffic lights aren’t working, the intersection turns into a 4-way stop. Be considerate and take turns. The car to your right has the right-of-way.
With additional rainfall and storms expected later today, please follow safe practices and avoid all dangerous conditions:
- Don’t drive into standing water. It only takes 12 inches of rushing water to carry away cars and 24 inches to carry away trucks and SUVs.
- Avoid flood-prone roadways
- It is NEVER safe to walk or drive into flood waters
- Please heed all barriers, they are there for your safety
- Immediately report down power lines to 911, do not touch them
Use caution, be safe and contact 911 to report emergencies, down wires, down trees and flooded areas.
    Photos courtesy of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety
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