A heavy downpour around 5:15 p.m. Monday caused this portion of West Mahoning Street to flood. The water receded quickly once the rain subsided. (Photo by Larry McGuire)
PUNXSUTAWNEY -- Several areas in Punxsutawney flooded quickly around 5:15 p.m. Monday, when dark clouds unleashed a deluge of water throughout the entire area, flooding several roadways.
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh placed southeastern Jefferson County under a flash flood warning until 9:15 p.m. last night, as reports indicated that a large amount of rain had fallen on the area since 6:20 p.m.
The National Weather Service said a portion of Route 119 north -- around the Narrows -- was closed for a period of time. Other affected areas included Elk Run, Saw Mill Run, Hamilton, Sportsburg and Walston.
By 7:25 p.m., the heavy rain moved out of the area.
The first report was West Mahoning Street in front of the Punxy Plaza along a stretch of road that has been notorious for flooding.
Drivers who first went through the area may have been reminded of the July 19, 1996, flood, where that stretch in front of the plaza was one of the first to flood.
There were reports of high water in the Elk Run section, which has been hit hard by flood waters on numerous occasions, including 1996.
Route 119 north of Punxsutawney was also under water for a period of time. As quickly as the flood waters came, they receded leaving debris in their wake.
Members of the Punxsutawney Fire Department were on scene at the flooded roadways to detour traffic.
Today’s forecast calls for partly sunny skies, cloudiness and rain, which could return to the area Thursday, as well.
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