GREENSBURG, Pa. -- The damage left behind after Wednesday's severe weather has prompted officials to declare a state of emergency in Westmoreland County, where dozens of rescues were made in various communities.
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Flood Rescues Made Throughout Westmoreland During Intense Storm Video:Westmoreland County Declares State Of EmergencyDamage was widespread across the county after the heavy rain swamped homes and roads. Declaring a state of emergency will allow for the opportunity to gain additional help and resources from the government.
In Jeannette, three roads leading into the city remained closed Monday as gaping holes and lifted asphalt populate the roadways.
Those without insurance, like renter Pebbles Uncapher and her family, were only able to salvage a few items after flood waters and sewage came spilling inside.
Video:Westmoreland Co. Cleanup Continues; Jeannette Residents Come Together"I got my dresser, my computer. My brother-in-law is going to check that out to see if there's water damage or not," said Uncapher.
Most of South Fifth and Mill streets were left covered in mud after the storm.
Resident Sherry Good had to leave her dinner in a Crock-Pot to escape the rising waters.
When she came back, it was time for Good and her neighbors to go to work helping one another.
"One by one, we are emptying each other's houses, getting rid of everything, ripping rugs, and cleaning," said Good.
The Red Cross has provided assistance in the form of cleaning supplies and is picking up the hotel bill for 22 Westmoreland County families who lost their homes, including Uncapher.
Uncapher said replacing a month of lost groceries to feed her children won't be easy.
"That was the last money I had saved up for now. Now I don't have anything," said Uncapher.
The Salvation Army will begin taking applications for disaster assistance Tuesday morning.
Those who had homes damaged by the storm can receive vouchers for food, clothing and medication.
In Trafford, 15 residents lost everything in the flood.
Donations are being accepted at Dobrinick Funeral Home on 7th Street.
Residents are in need of large and small appliances, food, clothing and furniture.
Items can be dropped off at the funeral home Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For North Huntingdon residents Terry and Ruth Mathias, the storm destroyed a lifetime of belongings.
Furniture and carpets now sit on a curbside, ready to be thrown away.
"You can't save anything, there's nothing that can be saved. It's stuff that you've kept for 40 years," said Ruth Mathias. "If this fills up like it did -- I don't know -- they're going to have to get us out of here."
Crews have been preparing for another round of storms, clearing debris from storm drains and securing creek beds to prevent water from finding its way back to homes along Route 993.
"The drainage pipes are all clogged, there's no escape route," said resident Gloria Wolfe.
The township has asked the state's emergency management agency to come out and survey the flood damage.
The agency's report will prove crucial to freeing up money for residents and the township, which estimates repairs to roads at more than $100,000.
"Hopefully their will be enough information for the governor to seek a presidential declaration and that will really facilitate the flow of assets into the area," said North Huntingdon emergency manager Gene Komondore.
In addition to the county statement, Penn Township and Jeanette have declared their own states of emergency because of the destruction.
Slideshow: Storm PhotosDennis Tubbs -- who works for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and trains water rescue units -- said nine teams were involved in 30 rescues in Harrison City, Trafford, Jeannette and Export between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 3 a.m. Thursday. Those teams also made numerous evacuations.
Tubbs said the teams use three methods to rescue people -- a big boat, a line system and shore techniques. He said the Greensburg dive team and the Bradenville, Scottdale, Lloydsville, New Alexandria, Saltsburg, Blairsville, Sutersville and Latrobe fire departments were involved.
The Greensburg water rescue team was in action on flooded Route 130 in Harrison City, where six people inside the Citgo gas station were rescued after abandoning their cars during flash floods.
"We saw some people do some really great things, and to be truthful, many of them are volunteers. They came out and put their lives on the line for people who were caught off-guard by some quickly rising waters," Penn Township Police Sgt. John Otto said.
Rising waters also took their toll further down Route 130 at the Hempfield Township fruit stand, where the entire parking lot was lifted by water and broken into pieces. Stands that once held fruit and flowers were washed into a creek, and a muddy mess was left behind.
In Penn Township there were reports of mobile homes being moved off foundations because of floodwaters. Major damage from flooding was also reported in the Claridge area.
Emergency crews said the rising water made getting to people who needed help difficult.
Channel 4 Action News' Jennifer Miele worked around the clock and was the only reporter at the scene of a massive water rescue in Harrison City.
A flash flood forced a group of drivers to ditch their vehicles, jump out of their car windows and run to a nearby gas station to escape the rising waters on Route 130 Wednesday evening.
"We were coming from All-American Baseball in Trafford at the batting cages. And we were coming through this area, try to get back home to export. And we got caught in the flood. So we pulled off at the Citgo," said Kris Highsmith, one of the rescued drivers.
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Severe Weather Alerts By County | ClosingsSwelled by Wednesday's rain, the Bushy Run Creek overflowed onto the roadway. The Greensburg water rescue team battled flowing water several feet deep along Route 130, which is a major thoroughfare in Harrison City, Miele reported.
The trapped drivers were given life jackets and helmets and helped into an inflatable boat to safety.
"We were heading back to my house and we made a turn and the creek just overflowed and just got stuck … had to climb out the window," said another rescued driver, Marc Cassella, of Murrysville.
A crowd gathered to watch the rescue and applauded as the drivers were brought to safety.
"We saw some people do some really great things, and to be truthful many of them are volunteers. They came out and put their lives on the line for people who were caught off guard by some quickly rising waters," said Sgt. John Otto of the Penn Township police department.
Another cause for concern was the number of students at band practice at Penn Trafford High School. Students who live on the other side of the creek were forced to remain at the school until around 1 a.m. before waters receded enough for them to return home.
Geri Pinkos had to be rescued from her apartment when the water came rushing in.
"I was laying on the couch, I go up and there was a river in front of my apartment. Cars stranded. I just watched the dumpster come over in between the two gas tanks I thought it was going to hit," said Pinkos.
That dumpster was no match for the rushing water, which tossed it around like a toy, Miele reported.
The creek's waters have gone down, but they left behind quite a bit of damage, Miele reported.
Road signs, Dumpsters and cars were washed away and up to 4 feet of water in some homes destroyed many residents' belongings.
Miele also reported the water pushed the Fruit Market on Route 130 into the creek and lifted the parking lot.
Local police and other emergency officials will inspect bridges, streets and pipelines on Thursday, looking for damage.
Crews are also dealing with problems caused by overflowing sewers. In Jeanette, raw sewage flowed down one street and a number of pedestrians had to go to a decontamination tent to be washed off.
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