Flood warning issued for area Sunday into Monday

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for several rivers in the area and West Virginia from late Sunday night into Monday evening.

The warning specifically names the Monongahela River at Point Marion affecting Greene and Fayette counties; Monongahela River near Charleroi affecting Washington, Fayette and Westmoreland Counties; Monongahela River near Elizabeth affecting Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties; Cheat River at Rowlesburg affecting Preston County, W.Va.; and Cheat River near Parsons affecting Tucker County, W.Va.

One to three inches of rain is forecast to fall across portions of West Virginia and far Southwest Pennsylvania through Monday morning. The heaviest rain is expected Sunday and Sunday night. This rainfall along with snow melt will result in significant rises on the Cheat and Monongahela rivers.

At 10:15 a.m. Saturday the Monongahela River was at 14.5 feet, with flood stage is 26 feet. Moderate flooding is forecast.

It is forecasted that the river will rise to 14.6 feet Saturday afternoon. It will then fall to 14.3 feet and begin rising again Sunday morning. It will rise above flood stage early Monday morning and continue to rise to 27.2 feet early Monday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage Monday afternoon.

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.