Jun 15, 2008 By Carol Kekela 2 min read

A state of emergency was declared in South Connellsville Borough Saturday night following a torrential downpour of rain around 8 p.m. that caused severe flooding. South Connellsville Mayor Peter Casini said he declared the emergency after the water rose well above the roadways, up and over the sidewalks and yards and flooding many basements.

One family on Fourth Street was displaced because water washed away the foundation of their house.

“We had to remove one family when water caused the foundation to collapse,’ said Casini. “The family was home at the time and ordered from the house because of the hazardous condition. It’s unsafe to be in the house.’

Casini, who is in his 19th year as mayor of the borough, said Saturday night’s rainfall was the most rainfall he has seen fall in the borough in all his years there. He was police chief for 15 years before becoming mayor.

“It was horrendous,’ he said. “I have never seen so much rain come down at one time and overflow the water basins, ditches and roadways was just amazing.’

Casini said borough council members and street department workers were out clearing the area of debris that had collected on roadways and at the storm drains, trying to get the water moving.

“We have everybody out tonight,’ he said.

South Connellsville firefighters were also out pumping water from basements.

“We have stone and gravel all over the place,’ Casini said. “The water washed a lot of debris from driveways and into the streets and yards. “It’s a real mess.’

The emergency declaration carries a warning to residents.

“Anyone with damage to their foundations must evacuate their house and not return until proper inspection of the foundation has been made,’ Casini said.

Casini said the state of emergency will remain in effect until Monday at 8 p.m.

The problems were minor in other areas of the county, according to a spokeswoman for Fayette County 911 emergency dispatch center.