Clearfield County hit with severe storms, flooding on Friday – Clearfield Progress

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Heavy rain and thunderstorms roared through southern portions of Clearfield County Friday morning, resulting in severe flooding and widespread damage.

Several communities were impacted, including Irvona, Coalport and Westover. According a National Weather Service spokesperson, radar indicated 4.5 inches of rain fell through the morning just prior to 1 p.m.

NWS said intense rain and flooding was caused by a series of severe thunderstorms lingering over that section of Clearfield County. The NWS issued a small stream flooding warning on Friday morning, which included communities such as Burnside, Coalport, Glen Hope, Irvona, New Washington and Ramey.

The spokesperson compared the storm to Clearfield County being caught between two rails of a railroad track and the train kept rolling over the same section of track.

In Coalport, it is believed the wall of an old mine behind the Glendale Medical Center exploded, resulting in a rush of water and mud pouring onto Main Street. State Route 53 was closed from the Irvona bridge to Gill Hollow Road beyond Coalport for several hours.

Coalport Mayor Margaret Maddalena called for a state of emergency within the borough around noon on Friday.

The American Red Cross also sent a team out to assist in Coalport following the flooding. Red Cross Director of Marketing and Communication Dan Tobin said a crew supplying cleanup kits and other basic supplies to those in need.

Tobin noted a reception center was set up at St. Basil the Great church on Locust Street in Coalport for those evacuated from their homes because of flooding. At the time he spoke to The Progress, Tobin was unsure whether the center would need to become a shelter. A shelter would become necessary if those displaced were unable to return to their homes.

Westovers Mayor Mary Roland Struble also declared a state of emergency for the town. That will allow the borough to make an application to the state and federal emergency management agencies for any assistance to help residents.

Westover Area Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Jason Sunderland told The Progress in an interview that Westover was hard hit, especially in the area between East Bridge and Hill streets.

He said the fire company received an emergency call for a building that was collapsed with entrapment as a result of flood waters, but that was unfounded. A disabled man living in the home was trapped for a short time when high water was rushing against his front door. But once firefighters were able to reach him, he did not want to leave.

There was so much water against the door there was no way he could get out the door, Sunderland said.

Sunderland said firefighters pumped two basements Friday morning, adding he believes the company could be called to assist with other basements once people returned home from work yesterday evening.

He said he was unaware of anyone being displaced by flooding and did not believe an emergency shelter would be set up in the borough. However, Tobin said the Red Cross would send a team to Westover later Friday evening to check on the possible shelter situation.

Individuals who require Red Cross assistance in Clearfield County should call 814-913-3022.

Visit The Progress Facebook page to see submitted videos of the flooding in Westover and Coalport.

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Clearfield County hit with severe storms, flooding on Friday - Clearfield Progress