Western, Pa. residents prepare for potential flooding

SUTERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Richard Westerman lives about 50 yards from the Youghiogheny River in western Pennsylvania.

If the river floods this weekend — and officials say a forecast of rain and melting snow pack in the mountains means that’s likely — he’ll be ready.

The 65-year-old Westerman and his son Tom spent part of today removing items from the basement of his century-old home in Sutersville, about 20 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. They’ve been putting items into a motor home and a storage locker.

Westerman says he’d rather be safe than sorry. The last time his basement flooded, in 1996, he had to replace his washer and dryer.

And he figures if it doesn’t flood, he’ll have a jump start on spring cleaning.