Rain Threatens To Flood Basements

Some basement flooding is forecast in New Kensington today, but earlier predictions of more widespread flooding in the Alle-Kiski Valley were changed late last night. Forecasters with the National Weather Service predicted last night that flooding will occur at the Harmar dam that will affect the river level near New Kensington. The Allegheny River was forecast to rise about 7 inches about the 17-foot flood stage at Harmar. A prediction earlier yesterday forecast the river to rise more than 2 feet above flood stage there. The river level at the dam in Harrison's Natrona neighborhood was expected to rise by just 6 inches above flood stage, enough to possibily affect Harrison's water intake, according to the NWS. No one could be reached late last night at the water authority. The flood warnings remain in effect until this evening. The weather service earlier predicted that the river would rise above flood stage all along the local stretch of the river, including almost 4 feet at the Highland Park dam. As a result, emergency officials issued cautionary advice for those who live in or drive through low-lying areas. The swollen river is visible from Randy Negley's front windows at his home along First Avenue in Brackenridge. His finished basement includes leather sofas, a television and bar. Last year, the Negleys refinished the basement with a new ceiling and furniture after a pipe burst. The basement also flooded during heavy rains that followed Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. A volunteer firefighter, Negley was concerned earlier yesterday that river water could come up through sewers. "If it gets to the drywall, that's like a wick," said Negley, a lifelong Brackenridge resident. But before he pulled up the carpet and started moving furniture, Negley was continuing to monitor the forecast. The river level became a concern after roughly 3 inches of rain fell on the region Tuesday -- on top of the 2.13 inches that fell last Thursday and Friday, according to the NWS. Some local roads, such as Park Road in Allegheny Township, flooded Wednesday. In addition, officials in all four Valley counties reported basement flooding. Officials yesterday were warning residents in low-lying areas to get valuables out of their basements or at least raise them off the floor. They also cautioned residents against driving or walking through flood waters. Emergency management officials in Allegheny and Armstrong counties were working with local officials to prepare for flooded streets and basements -- based on the earlier forecasts. Brackenridge police Chief Jamie Bock said Allegheny County officials planned to call borough residents along certain streets to warn them of potential dangers and advise them to move valuables out of the basement. Bock said the areas likely to be affected include the streets below Brackenridge Avenue, such as First and Nelson avenues and the Flats sections of Morgan Street and Mile Lock Lane. He suggested as many as 100 homes could be affected. Bock advised residents to "stay alert, keep a close eye on the forecast and on their basement floors." Ron Baustert, Armstrong County 911 director, said firefighters and emergency officials will do their best to respond to reports of basement flooding, but cautioned that more serious reports -- such as those of injuries because of flooding -- will take priority. Westmoreland County likely "will dodge the bullet," said Dan Stevens, spokesman for the county's emergency management service. Still, he said residents should remain vigilant by monitoring the weather forecast and their basements for flooding. Stevens said potential flooding should remind residents to prepare for the worst. "They shouldn't be saying to themselves, 'The worst didn't happen this time, so it won't happen next time.'" A Butler County emergency management official couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. Michael Aubele can be reached at maubele@tribweb.com. Staff writer Rossilynne Skena contributed to this report. flooded basement long island