Friday, February 1, 2013
Four residents from the Plum-Oakmont died during a flash flood in August 2011.
The families of four Plum and Oakmont residents are suing several entities after losing their loved ones during a flash flood in Pittsburgh's Highland Park neighborhood a little over a year ago. Relatives of Kimberly Griffith, 45, and daughters, Brenna, 12, and Mikaela, 8, of Plum; and Mary Saflin, 72, of Oakmont, are suing the City of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Allegheny County, Alcosan, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Chester Engineers Inc., and Chrysler Group LLC (the make of the Griffith vehicle). Attorneys Paul Manion and Alan Perer made the announcement Friday. After their minivan was immersed underwater during the Washington Boulevard flash flood on Aug. 19, 2011, the Griffiths drowned. …
Friday, October 12, 2012
Pittsburgh police Officer Andrew Baker almost was run over in Verona last month, and he was honored for his work during the 2011 Washington Boulevard flood.
A Pittsburgh police officer who was shot Friday morning almost was run over in Verona last month, and he assisted during the 2011 Washington Boulevard flash flood that killed four locals. According to police, Officer Andrew Baker was responding to a domestic in Stanton Heights when he was shot in the chest. Baker was not seriously injured by the gunfire because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, this is Baker's fourth incident this year in which he narrowly escapes serious injury. In September, Baker almost was run over on the Verona hilltop—around Third Street. Police had cornered Melvin Taylor Solomon, 41, in a one-way alley after a chase that began in Point Breeze, when Solomon put his vehicle …
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Fourth annual breakfast held Thursday at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh pays tribute to everyday people who have performed extraordinary deeds.
Swimming a woman to safety as deadly flood waters swirled on Washington Boulevard. Helping a neighbor escape from a fire. Pulling a fellow firefighter out after a floor collapses below him. Providing support for military families. Working to re-energize a school district. And dedicating more than 10 years to serving the American Red Cross in its mission to help others. Those words describe the efforts of the six recipients honored Thursday at the American Red Cross' fourth annual Heroes Breakfast, a fundraiser held in the Lexus Club at Consol Energy Center in downtown Pittsburgh. WPXI-TV sportscaster Bill Phillips served as emcee for the program. The recipients were nominated by event committee members and selected by an independent panel …
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
After the Aug. 19 flood on Washington Boulevard that killed three Plum residents and one Oakmont resident, Pittsburgh Public Safety will create a water-rescue team.
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Almost four months ago, four area residents drowned during a flash flood on Washington Boulevard in Highland Park. Now, City of Pittsburgh officials are planning to train all public safety personnel in water-rescue techniques. According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, about 2,000 police officers, firefighters and paramedics will be trained to respond to emergencies, such as the Aug. 19 flood that killed Kimberly Griffith of Plum and her two young daughters, Brenna and Mikaela; as well as Mary Saflin of Oakmont. About 180 employees also will make up newly-established water-rescue teams at nine fire and emergency medical services stations near waterways, and at the Zone 5 police station on Washington Boulevard, according to…
diane
3:31 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I feel that these victims' families have been haunted by this totally unnecessary tragedy and should be compensated. It's really not about the money. That will NEVER bring their lost family members back. However it WILL make a statement to the city that things need to be done to fix this "way over due" problem. Why does it always take a tragedy to open peoples' eyes? I pray everyday that the … more ›