Community Corner

Allegheny County's Swiftwater/Flood Response Teams Conduct Nearly 50 Rescues in Central Pennsylvania

As eastern half of state deals with flood waters from Tropical Storm Lee, Allegheny County crews aid in the rescue efforts.

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato announced Thursday afternoon that the three county swiftwater/flood response teams that were deployed to central Pennsylvania at noon Wednesday have already conducted nearly 50 rescues.

Each swiftwater/flood response team includes four rescue technicians, swiftwater rescue boat, line-gun with floatable rope attached to a personal floatation device, throwing rings and additional flotation devices.

“Our swiftwater response teams have been involved in non-stop rescue missions since arriving in central Pennsylvania yesterday,” Onorato said. “The 12 skilled rescue technicians have been working with little rest to assist residents in central Pennsylvania who are dealing with tremendous rainfall and flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.”

Find out what's happening in Dormont-Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Two additional Allegheny County swiftwater/flood response teams are currently staging and will be deployed to central Pennsylvania Thursday evening.

The Pennsylvania Region 13 Task Force, which includes the 13 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania and the City of Pittsburgh, also has swiftwater response teams and other resources deployed in central Pennsylvania.

Find out what's happening in Dormont-Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here