Cambria County residents say authorities to blame for flood damage

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Residents throughout Cambria County woke up Friday with their properties underwater as a tropical rain storm hit Pennsylvania.

According to Cambria County Department of Emergency Services, the areas of Patton, Northern Cambria and Nanty Glow received the worst of the weather, all experiencing flash flooding, prompting the Swift Water Rescue Team into action to ensure the safety of motorists and residents caught in the water.

Little Chest Creek in Patton spilled over onto the lawns of properties along Moose Avenue. Residents said that this is not the first time their neighborhood has flooded during severe weather, but that the flooding is avoidable, attributing the problem to debris blocking the creek downstream. They also said that the creek has not been drudged since 2006 and, as a result, has narrowed to the point that flooding is becoming a more frequent issue.

Darlene Gillette, landlord of some of the properties, said that when she has tried to address the problem with local authorities, she gets dismissed, having been told that those residents live in a "flood zone" and that their best option is to move.