Watch CBS News

Man Trapped By High Water Tells His Story

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police say about 50 cars got caught in high water on Washington Boulevard late Monday, and one man had to climb up onto the roof of his car until the water receded.

He wouldn't give his name, but the elderly man told KDKA's David Highfield he was on his way to work when the water came up fast.

The man was nonchalant when explaining that water picked up his car, lifting the vehicle off Washington Boulevard and dropped it on the grass beside.

But, water continued to rise, and KDKA viewers could see from NewsChopper 2 the man beginning to climb out of the driver's-side window and onto the roof.

It took about 30 minutes before the water finally receded.

Police say officers had to pull an elderly woman from her vehicle, and there were about 10 cars, including a police car, which were disabled from the water.

Donna Szallar from Cecil says the water picked up her car and moved it into the parking lot of the Zone 5 police station. She was glad she didn't hit anything.

She says she was scared when the water kept rising, and her hands were still shaking while talking to KDKA-TV.

Police say Washington Boulevard buckled in one spot and there's mud and debris all over it.

PennDOT, however, hopes to reopen one lane in each direction for the Tuesday morning commute.

Washington Boulevard was just one area affected by the heavy rain.

KDKA-TV viewers have sent in pictures of flooding at Murray Avenue and Darlington in Squirrel Hill in addition to North Pioneer Road in Gibsonia.

There was also flooding on Park Road, 8th Street and 4th Street in Ambridge, Beaver County.

RELATED LINKS
More Weather
More Local News
Photo Gallery: Flash Floods Overtake Local Roads

FOLLOW US:
KDKA On Facebook
KDKA On Twitter
Follow KDKA Personalities

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.