Hurricane Ivan: Damage and Recovery

...the storm remnants of Hurricane Ivan, a Category 5 hurricane and the tenth largest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded, swept across western Pennsylvania. The storm dropped 5.95 inches of rain on Pittsburgh in one day, the highest daily rainfall ever recorded. Widespread flooding resulted.

Among the streams reaching levels never seen before was Montour Creek, which overflowed its banks, covering the trail, the road, and some businesses. The first 9½ miles of the trail were destroyed. In some places, the very ground was removed, leaving a boulder-strewn ravine where the trail had been. Years of careful labor were destroyed. Repair costs were estimated at $½million.

Amazingly, thanks to the overwhelming efforts of volunteers and donors, trail was restored to full use within only a year. A grand reopening ceremony was held on September 16, 2005. At that time, the trail thanked the following for their support in this difficult time:

• Findlay, Moon and Robinson Township elected officials and road crews
• Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and the Allegheny County Public Works Department
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
• Allegheny County Regional Asset District
• Laurel Foundation
• Trail repair contractor BKG, Inc.
• Private donors and volunteers who gave hundreds of hours of labor.

• September 21, 2004: Montour Trail Among Hard-hit Flood Areas; Nearly 10 Miles of Trail Closed; Trail Leaders Determined to Repair Quickly, but Help Needed (press release)
• September 22, 2004: Creek washes out portion of Montour Trail (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
• February 23, 2005: Montour Trail's Western Section Returning To Life; 9 Of 10 Flood-Damaged Miles Reopened (press release)
• April 29, 2005: Allegheny County Regional Asset District Awards Montour Trail $50,000 For Flood Repair; Findlay Township Completes Trail Restoration Within Its Boundaries (press release)
• May 13, 2005: Montour Trail Coming Together (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
• June 22, 2005: Flood Repair Continues with Moon Township Help, DCNR Grant (press release)
• August 20, 2005: Montour Trail's Hurricane-Damaged Miles Back in Service; Grand Reopening Celebration Set for September 16 (press release)
• September 29, 2005: A year after the flood, the Montour Trail is back on track (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)