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Marina Damaged By Ice Jam; Schools, Roads Closed Today
By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
March 05, 2015
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Updated: 2:45 p.m.
McKeesport firefighter Jeff Tomovcsik captured this video yesterday after an ice jam broke loose on the Youghiogheny River.
Pat Cloonan of The Daily News reports that mounting poles for the McKees' Point Marina were heavily damaged; Birdie's Landing also was flooded.
At lunchtime today (March 5), the Youghiogheny River had not yet crested the marina parking lot at the foot of Water Street, Downtown, but the river was flowing high and fast, and had almost reached the low spot of River Road on the opposite bank.
The Monongahela River at Elizabeth Lock and Dam crested at 23.77 feet at 8:15 a.m. today, the U.S. Geological Survey reports, which is almost four feet above flood stage, where "moderate flooding" is expected.
As of 2:45 p.m. today, the river level was steadily falling at Elizabeth, and is expected to continue to falling into normal levels by tomorrow afternoon.
At Sutersville, the Youghiogheny River crested at 20.66 feet around midnight and has been steadily falling since then. Levels were near normal at 2:45.
The National Weather Service reports flooding in West Mifflin, Dravosburg, Glassport, West Elizabeth, Elrama and other communities, "south beyond Brownsville" in Washington County, and a flood warning remains in effect through 8 p.m. today (March 5) for the entire Mon-Yough area.
According to Allegheny County emergency management, state Route 837 is closed between the Duquesne-McKeesport Bridge in Duquesne and Coal Valley Road on the border between Clairton and Jefferson Hills.
Jefferson Hills police confirmed that the highway was closed due to flooding. Officials in Dravosburg advised motorists to avoid 837 and find alternate routes.
Allegheny County officials also report flooding along Second Avenue in Elizabeth Borough.
In the Observer-Reporter, Scott Beveridge notes that the Monongahela River was more than five feet about flood stage at Charleroi, topping forecasters' predictions. The river level at Point Marion is the seventh-highest on record.
Meanwhile, winter just won't let go of the Mon-Yough area, with snow and bitter cold temperatures now adding to the woes caused by Wednesday's rain and flooding.
Several inches of new snow fell overnight, snarling traffic and closing schools. Clairton, Elizabeth Forward, McKeesport Area, Norwin and South Allegheny schools are closed today, as is Penn State University's Greater Allegheny campus and the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center.
White Oak borough officials are advising residents that today's trash collection is postponed one day.Tonight's regular monthly workshop meeting of White Oak council also has been cancelled and rescheduled for 7 p.m. March 11, a spokesman said.
Originally published March 05, 2015.
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