The mayor of Washington, Pennsylvania, declared a state of emergency after heavy rain caused severe flash flooding.
Municipal officials issued the order to help the city recoup storm response costs.
Calling it the worst flooding in years, Mayor JoJo Burgess watched a driver rescue a trapped motorist.
Recalling the scene, Burgess stated, “It was bad.”
Reflecting on the water level, Burgess added, “It was like, wow, that’s an eye-opener, because it usually doesn’t flood like that.”
Along Jefferson Avenue, motorists drove through a flooded commercial lot to avoid submerged streets.
Expressing concern over vehicle damage, store manager Ray Miniotas noted, “I thought they were crazy actually, because that can do a lot of damage to your car.”
Overwhelmed drainage lines forced water upward, pushing manhole covers off street openings.
Describing the road hazards, motorist Daniel Phillips observed, “I almost hit it.”
Commenting on swerving vehicles, Phillips added, “I’d seen someone swerve, and it was crazy.”
Local fire crews spent hours pumping floodwaters out of residential basements.
Urging state road repairs, Miniotas warned, “It’s dangerous for everybody and the businesses and everything around the homes.”
Burgess promised city officials will contact state authorities regarding state-maintained roads.