Deep water closes 2 buildings at WCI Steel

WARREN -- Some WCI Steel employees were forced to stay at home or find alternative work places today because the Mahoning River flooded plant parking lots and walkways, spokesman Tim Roberts said.
Steel production was mostly uninterrupted, he said, but WCI's main office and commercial building, both on Pine Avenue at the plant, were closed due to the flooding.
About 200 employees work at the two buildings. Some were able to work in offices in the production areas, Roberts said.
Only one of the plant's three entry gates was accessible today because of flooding, the Airco-contractor gate between Burton Road and DeForest Road. The limited access was slowing shipping.
Employees who normally pick up their paychecks at the main office building can pick them up at the United Steelworkers of America Local 1375 union hall on Elm Road between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday.