Flood Warning Issued for Allegheny River Ice Jam in Western Pennsylvania

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a Flood Warning for portions of northwestern and west-central Pennsylvania. This alert is specifically triggered by an ice jam and replaces a previous Flash Flood Warning.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following regions in Pennsylvania:

• Southern Venango County
• Northwestern Armstrong County
• Northeastern Butler County
• Western Clarion County

Specific locations expected to experience flooding include Emlenton and Foxburg.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Turn around, don’t drown: Do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.
• Stay away from water: Avoid river banks and culverts, as they can become unstable and unsafe during flooding events.
• Monitor surroundings: Be aware that ice jam releases can cause sudden, rapid rises in water levels, leading to a dangerous flash flood situation.

Expected Conditions

At 6:39 PM EST, local law enforcement reported an ice jam on the Allegheny River near Emlenton. Flooding is currently occurring in areas near and downstream of the jam. The primary hazard is the unpredictable nature of the ice; if the jam releases, it could result in a rapid flooding situation for downstream communities.

Timeline

The Flood Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in effect until 12:00 AM EST on Saturday, February 21.