Flood — Beaver, Pennsylvania

1996-01-19 to 1996-01-21 · Beaver, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

The Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet at the Point in Pittsburgh to form the Ohio River. A tremendous amount of runoff and snowmelt, combined with the fact that the Monongahela and the Allegheny Rivers crested in phase, resulted in the maximum possible crest possible at the start of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh. The Monongahela River usually crests 4 to 8 hours earlier than the Allegheny River. The Ohio River at Pittsburgh crested at 34.6 feet, 9.6 feet above its 25 foot flood stage at 10 am on the 20th.In Beaver County, 257 homes were affected, 14 with major damage and 15 destroyed. At least 42 businesses were affected, 2 of which were destroyed. Commercial and industrial damages to real estate, equipment and supplies alone totaled over $4 Million. Bridges were also damaged by floating debris in the river. About 400 people throughout the county had to be evacuated.Total damages for River flooding for Allegheny County are found in the description of the river flooding along the Monongahela River.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5544543. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.