The South Strabane Township Fire Department was also a victim of the severe storms that blew through Washington County. In addition to flooded basements and roadways, vehicle occupants trapped in storm water, a landslide, fires and fire alarms, firefighters say the main stormwater pipe that channels water from adjacent properties under the department’s parking lot and into the creek travelling parallel to Oak Springs Road collapsed. Within minutes, the stream engulfed the parking lot, requiring the evacuation of nearly eighty citizens. No one was injured, but the fire station was flooded and the parking lot collapsed. Department officials say emergency operations continue to be delivered. They say township elected officials visited the station to speak with the first responders, thank them for their actions, and began steps to make an Emergency Disaster Declaration. Department officials say this problem will undoubtably affect the department’s ability to host the weekly bingo, which will directly impact their ability to fund fire department operations. Officials also asked residents and stakeholders to reach out to their elected officials and ask them to assist them. (Picture courtesy of South Strabane Fire Department)