Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

WARREN – The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) announced the opening of its Rocky Gap ATV Trail effective at 9 a.m. Saturday, but another trail will remain closed for the time being. The regularly scheduled opening of its ATV trail system was postponed on Memorial Day weekend due to heavy rains and flooding sustained over parts of the forest the week before their scheduled opening. Conditions have improved and affected areas have been inspected to allow the opening of the additional trails. In addition to the Rocky Gap trail opening this weekend, the Timberline Trail and Willow Creek Trail are also open. Both loops of the Marienville Trail (Bike and ATV) remain closed while necessary repairs are made. The public is encouraged to check regularly for updated information, either on the Allegheny National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny) or by calling any of its three offices (Supervisor’s Office 814-723-5150, Marienville Ranger District 814-927-6628, Bradford Range...

Elk County has been approved for a federal Small Business Administration loan to help people rebuild after the May 21 flooding wreaked havoc on the area. State Rep. Matt Gabler says Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson gave him the word about the disaster declaration. County officials are still waiting for word form FEMA about more assistance. Jason Bange of the American Red Cross has been spending time in Ridgway helping people put their lives back together. On today's LiveLine he talked about one business that lent a helping hand – and more – to Ridgway residents. Listen here . (12 seconds) You can listen to the entire show by going to WESB.com/listen and clicking on the Local Programs tab. If you’d like to help the Red Cross – there’s a delicious way you can do it. By Tuesday, contact the chapter house on Congress and order a strawberry shortcake for 5 bucks. All proceeds go to help pay for services the Red Cross provides.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) has issued the following statement regarding disaster assistance for Elk County flood victims: I am grateful that today, Governor Corbett has sent a letter to the United States Small Business Administration to request a disaster declaration for local areas that were impacted by the severe flooding that took place on May 21 and 22, 2014. This disaster declaration would enable residents and business owners with property damaged by the massive rains to be eligible for low interest loans through the US Small Business Administration. If the request is granted, counties that are contiguous with Elk will also be eligible for the loans, including Cameron, Clearfield, Forest, Jefferson, McKean and Warren counties. As this process moves forward, I will continue to work with Governor Corbett and PEMA to find ways to best help our community and local residents with clean-up and recovery. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

RIDGWAY - Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) joined Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley in Elk County today to meet with local officials and emergency management personnel to assess local flood damage. During a tour of the region, Senator Scarnati and Lt. Gov. Cawley were also joined by Rep. Matt Gabler, to view and evaluate areas affected by the severe flooding which began impacting the region last Wednesday. “I want to express my gratitude for the quick response and tireless efforts of emergency responders, local police, local firemen, municipal workers, local officials and area volunteers who have been working to help victims recover from this disaster,” Scarnati stated. “Last year communities within our region also experienced terrible flooding. While we cannot stop these occurrences, we will continue to work together to re-build and return our community to normal as quickly as possible.” Scarnati explained that damage assessments by PEMA already began last w...

Significant outflow from the Allegheny Reservoir will continue through Sunday, and the Allegheny River will continue to flow at or near full conditions until then. The US Army Corps of Engineers at the Kinzua Dam says the reservoir level has to be lowered to maintain adequate storage space for possible future floods. Because of the high water level in the river boaters and fisherman are being advised to use extra caution. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Wednesday’s flooding has delayed trail openings on the Allegheny National Forest. The ATV trails and the Spring Creek Horse Trail were scheduled to open tomorrow, but the flooding led the Forest Service to delay the opening so they can assess the damage. Parts of the forest got 3 to 4 inches of rain over the past 36 hours. Trail conditions will be assessed daily and an announcement will be made as soon as conditions allow for their opening. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

In the wake of severe weather that struck a number of Elk County communities Wednesday morning, state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) is issuing the following statement: “I have been in touch with my staff frequently during my overseas NATO training exercises in France with the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. They reached out to me immediately Wednesday as they began to hear of the damage caused by the heavy thunderstorms that rolled through the area. “My heart goes out to the local residents who have been severely impacted by the weather, particularly everyone in Benezette, Jay Township, Johnsonburg, Penfield and Ridgway, where I’m told the flooding is the worst. Please know while I am a great distance away, the resources of my St. Marys district office are at your disposal. “My staff is working closely with the Elk County Office of Emergency Services, which is currently handling flood damage calls at (814) 776-4601. They are prepared t...

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana, Armstrong) joined Governor Tom Corbett in DuBois City and Jefferson and Clearfield Counties today to meet with local officials and emergency management personnel to assess local flood damage. During a tour of the region, Senator Scarnati, Representative Smith and Governor Corbett were accompanied by Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director, Glenn Cannon, and Adjutant General, Wesley Craig. The group was able to view and evaluate areas affected by the severe thunderstorms and flooding which began impacting the region on Thursday. Scarnati and Smith expressed their gratitude for the quick response and tireless efforts of emergency responders, water rescue crews, local police, municipal workers, local officials and area volunteers who have been working tirelessly to help victims recover from this disaster. DuBois City has sustained the most si...

HARRISBURG – In response to the recent storms and flooding in DuBois and the surrounding area, state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-DuBois) is issuing the following statement: “My thoughts and prayers are with the residents of DuBois and the surrounding area who continue to deal with widespread flooding from recent storms. “I particularly want to thank Governor Tom Corbett for responding rapidly to our plight and moving quickly to personally inspect the damages. There is no substitute for boots on the ground, and I am extremely grateful for the rapidity with which he responded. “I would also like to say how lucky I feel to share my district with the president pro tempore of the state Senate and to share a border with the speaker of the House. Few districts could expect to have the top three leaders of state government visit on such short notice. “While it was necessary for them to return to budget negotiations in Harrisburg, Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson and I are planning a v...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The Pennsylvania National Guard's Black Hawk helicopter today took Governor Tom Corbett, House Speaker Sam Smith and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati over areas damaged by Thursday’s flooding. Those areas included Jefferson County, where Scarnati and Smith both live, as well as Clearfield and Clinton counties. During a news conference in DuBois, one of the hardest hit places, Corbett said the three state leaders had a chance to see some of the damage close up. “Obviously it doesn’t look the same after the fact, when the waters have receded,” Corbett said, adding that he and everyone else was watching the skies, hoping they didn’t see a repeat. Rumbles of thunder could be heard during the news conference and a flood advisory is in effect for that area until 10:30 tonight. Corbett said the state would do everything possible to help the areas get federal aid. Glenn Cannon, head of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, s...

A line of severe thunderstorms raced through McKean County this afternoon, pounding Relay for Life participants at Pitt-Bradford with rain and wind, and temporarily flooding Congress Street in the city. In Annin Township, the storms knocked down trees and power lines, closing Annin Creek Road. In Chautauqua County, Pomfret, Brocton and Portland all saw flooding. The American Red Cross set up a shelter at Brocton Central School to house residents of 45 evacuated homes. The shelter was closed late this afternoon after the people were told they could return to their homes. The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down in Centre County on Thursday. The tornado was at least 1½ miles long and 75 yards wide with winds reaching 100 mph. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The National Weather Service In Buffalo Has Issued a Flood Warning For Urban Areas and Small Streams In... Cattaraugus County In Western New York... This Includes The Cities Of...Salamanca...Olean... Chautauqua County In Western New York... This Includes The Cities Of...Dunkirk...Jamestown...Fredonia... Until 315 PM EDT At 1112 AM EDT National Weather Service Doppler Radar Displayed Showers And Thunderstorms Over The Region...With Additional Heavy Showers And Thunderstorms Moving Across The Region Over The Next Several Hours. Some Areas Have Already Received Over An Inch Of Rainfall This Morning. Additional Rainfall Amounts Of Localized 1 To 3 Inches Are Possible In The Warned Area. A Flood Warning Means That Flooding Is Imminent Or Has Been Reported. Stream Rises Will Be Slow And Flash Flooding Is Not Expected. However...All Interested Parties Should Take Necessary Precautions Immediately. Most Flood Deaths Occur In Automobiles. Never Drive Your Vehicle Into Areas Where The Wate...

Clearfield – PennDOT reports that several roadways in District 2 are closed at this hour due to flooding. Motorists should not attempt to drive through standing water on roadways. Water may be deeper than it appears. The following state routes are closed due to flooding: Clearfield County Route 219 from the intersection with Route 322 near Salem to the intersection with Route 119 in West Liberty; Route 255 (East DuBois Avenue) from the intersection with McCracken Run Road in DuBois City to Penfield. A local detour is in place; Route 4003 (Mine Road) is closed between the intersection with Route 410 (Shamokin Trail) and the intersection with Route 4002 (Stanley Bottom Road) in Brady Township; Route 3009 (McGees Mills Road) is closed between the intersection with Buhite Road and the intersection with Grant Road in Brady Township. Route 4015 (Sher de Lin Road) from Route 255 to Home Camp Road in Sandy Township. Route 219 from Route 830 in Sandy Township to the City ...

Flooding in DuBois this afternoon prompted emergency management officials to close all roads into the city. Jefferson County Commissioners have issued a disaster declaration. Many roads there and in Clearfield County are flooded, and some have been washed out by flood waters. For more pictures, and video, go to our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/1490wesb Photo courtesy of Jim Armstrong The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A state of emergency will remain in effect in the Village of Little Valley until Monday because of the damage caused by Thursday night’s flash flooding. Emergency Services Director Christopher Baker says due to the ongoing closure of 4th Street, if people are in need of assistance they should contact the Little Valley Fire Department. Cattaraugus County has donated large trash bins to help in debris removal. People are asked to place all flood-damaged items at the curb for pick-up. Collection of damaged household items will continue on Monday.

Scott Douglas just sent us this picture from Little Valley. He says Rock City Street is closed; it's the main road thru Little Valley twoard Salamanca.

This evening's heavy rain has caused some flooding on East Main Street -- in the usual place near Valu Home Center. We've also gotten reports of other area roads being flooded or washed out.

The U.S. Interior Secretary releases water - lots of water - from the Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell, sending water rushing into the Grand Canyon. The release is to help fish habitats in the river and rebuild beaches.