Forecasters, officials discuss western, Pa. flooding

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers says it’s drawn down 16 reservoirs in the Ohio River Basin to prepare for melting snow and rain.

With temperatures expected near 60 by week’s end and rain in the forecast, officials are concerned that rivers and creeks in western Pennsylvania could flood.

The Corps reservoir system can capture about a third of snow melt and storm water runoff within the basin and release it after the flood threat passes.

The Corps, government officials and National Weather Service forecasters met today to discuss the flooding potential in the Pittsburgh area and preparations.

The Corps says conditions are similar to those of January 1996, when parts of downtown Pittsburgh and other areas flooded.