9 people rescued in Penn Borough after onslaught of rain

Megan Tomasic
Thursday, July 11, 2019 9:27 p.m. | Thursday, July 11, 2019 9:27 p.m.

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Penn Township Ambulance Association’s Facebook page

Officials from the Penn Township Ambulance Association rescued nine people from floodwaters Thursday afternoon.

Nine people were rescued in Penn Borough on Thursday afternoon by the Penn Township Ambulance Association’s swift water rescue team.

Eight adults were rescued from Style Right Industries on Cole Street after the building became surrounded by water, said Edgar Grant, director of the association. Not knowing how high the water would rise from runoff, officials decided to rescue the people about 1:50 p.m., he said.

Another rescue occurred shortly after along South Penn Street, Grant said. A child who was home alone was taken to a relative who lived away from the floodwaters.

All nine were removed safely with help from North Huntingdon EMS and Penn Borough Volunteer Fire Department.

About 5:30 p.m., most areas in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties had experienced up to about 2 inches of rainfall over the previous 24 hours, officials from the National Weather Service said, leaving dozens of streets flooded.