EDITORIAL Out of hopelessness from South Hills flooding, there was help
Out of hopelessness, there was help.
That’s what happened last week when raging water overflowed McLaughlin Run and other streams in the South Hills, causing devastating flooding that killed an Upper St. Clair woman and damaged countless buildings and cars.
Stunning videos on social media showed cars floating away into creeks and people standing on one Bethel Park restaurant’s tables as the water rushed inside.
But even before the water receded, people and emergency responders banded together to pull residents from flooded homes and businesses, rescue pets, pump basements and shovel away the sludge.
The heaviest of the June 20 flooding and subsequent damage was found in Bridgeville, Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair. More than 80 homes and at least a dozen businesses in Bridgeville sustained first-floor damage, while countless cars – including 17 found stranded in local streambeds – were destroyed.
When the sun rose the following morning, volunteers and crews were out in full force.
About a dozen volunteers from Kingswood Design in Bethel Park swooped in to help the Trolley Stop Inn, a neighboring business on Library Road, after water inundated the restaurant and stranded customers and workers inside. The men carried out mud-covered chairs, tables and booths in an attempt to help the restaurant’s owners begin the arduous task of cleaning and rebuilding. Dave King, who owns Kingswood Design, said there was never a moment of hesitation when he asked his workers to help the restaurant and other affected businesses.
“In trying times, it’s neighbors helping neighbors,” King said.
In Upper St. Clair, firefighters from Mt. Lebanon assisted their neighboring township as they cut down trees and performed assessments on bridges over McLaughlin Run, while also searching for 64-year-old Wendy Abbott, who was reported missing by her mother the night of the flood. Sadly, her body was found miles away behind Bridgeville Fire Department, but the outpouring of support for her family has been touching.
In addition to the loss of a life, Bridgeville sustained massive damage in what residents there said was the worse flooding they’ve seen in their lifetimes.
But the quick actions by police, firefighters and specialized rescuers in swiftwater boats saved many lives. People living on Baldwin Street, where water rose eight feet above homes, reported emergency responders breaking through windows to save them. The death toll could have been much worse, if not for their quick action.
Meanwhile, other people went into the flooded Canine Club, a pet boarding business on the street, to save many animals, although a few dogs perished.
Work crews driving bulldozers enveloped Bridgeville to scrape away the thick layer of mud from many streets while others pulled waterlogged furniture from homes.
The theme of the June 20 flood wasn’t the devastation it caused, but of people helping people.
The severity of the flooding has adversely affected many residents and businesses, but the support and help that poured into the South Hills should be a reminder to all of us that there’s more that unites us than divides us.