Emergency administration coordinators put together for the remnants of Hurricane Ida within the Pittsburgh space – CBS Pittsburgh

WASHINGTON COUNTY (KDKA) – Emergency Management Coordinators in Fayette and Washington counties are preparing for the remnants of Hurricane Ida to hit the area.

Outside the Bentleyville Volunteer Fire Department in Washington County, the rapid water rescue team prepares for the worst.

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The team went through practice drills on Monday to improve their skills if a water rescue is required.

“We’ve been doing rope rescue and a bit of water rescue for the last two evenings to make sure we’re up to date,” said Ron Sicchitano, assistant director of Bentleyville Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Photo credit: KDKA

The remnants of Hurricane Ida could bring heavy rains and winds, which means potential flash floods and river flooding on the Monongahela River.

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“Washington County activated the water rescue teams at this point,” said Larry Pollock, executive director of the Washington County Ambulance & Chair Service. “We are doing a coordinated effort between the fire brigade, police and ambulance service.

Nearby Fayette County is also getting ready for what might come.

“The concern right now is that we would get high winds and heavy rainfall with flash floods, which is always a problem,” said Roy Shipley, Fayette County’s emergency management director. “People who don’t drive in the water, stay off the roads when they have to, and those who live along the rivers must stay vigilant.”

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Officials want to remind people to have an emergency kit with batteries, a flashlight, water and canned food.