Crew Hits Water Line They Didn't Know Was There, Flooding Hays
BALDWIN (KDKA) -- Contracted crews with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority broke a 16-inch water line they say they didn't even know was there.
According to Allegheny County emergency officials, the flooding is reported at Baldwin and Glass Run Roads. It happened around 11 Monday morning while they were installing catch basins.
An elderly man had to be carried from his home because the water became so deep.
This elderly man had to be helped from a porch surrounded by water. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/05Po9Vf4th
— Chris Hoffman (@NewsmanChris) September 16, 2019
"Welcome to the neighborhood," Daurian Gibson said from her front porch.
Gibson and her family moved to the street about three weeks ago.
Needless to say, they weren't prepared for this.
"We know it is a flood zone. When it rains heavy it floods, but we weren't expecting this," she said as water surrounds her home.
"It was nothing but a lake. A giant lake and it's overwhelming to see it," nearby business owner Sid Gold said.
Water quickly got into nearby businesses or came right up to their doors.
The water is getting into nearby businesses. pic.twitter.com/eC9OOBBklr
— Chris Hoffman (@NewsmanChris) September 16, 2019
Gibson was able to avoid being flooded.
"Surprisingly, we're not flooded. There is a little bit of water that came in through the walls. The floor is damp -- that's about it," she said.
Gold owns a scrapyard near the intersection and wasn't able to get to his business.
"Cannot get to it. If you can't get to work, you can't work," he said in frustration. "I cannot get to my office, unless I use a canoe."
The dump truck used by work crews was stuck in the hole as water shot up around it with the driver inside. Robert Wilamowski got out through the passenger door.
"The water came up and the road washed away and the truck wouldn't pull out," he said.
He claims the crews didn't know the line was there and says other utility lines were marked. But not this one.
According to 811, they provide where the lines are and companies are responsible for marking them.
"This was all inspected and it was okay to dig. That's why we came here to dig," Wilamowski said.
The PWSA is not sure where there was miscommunication happened and they are doing an incident report.
The line belongs to Pennsylvania American Water. They are not sure if customers will be impacted. They have to go in and see what all is damaged.
