Overnight storms triggered a landslide early Friday that shut down Locust Avenue in South Strabane Township, Washington County, after mud and rock slid off a bank and slammed into a nearby home. The debris left the roadway unsafe, and crews quickly blocked off the stretch while township and emergency officials checked for damage and any ongoing public-safety risk.
Fire Department Photos, Daylight Video Show the Damage
According to WTAE, the South Strabane Fire Department posted a photo of the closed road just before 5 a.m. In daylight, video from a local videographer laid out the full scene, showing the slide area and the wide debris field at the bottom of the slope. The footage indicates that rocks and mud came down the hill and piled against a residence, which led officials to keep the road closed.
Township Issues Formal Closure Notice
Locust Avenue is currently closed indefinitely between Hudak Hill Road and the I-79 interchange due to a landslide that has compromised the roadway, South Strabane Township announced on its website. The notice states that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has been alerted and urges drivers to use alternate routes until the site can be fully evaluated. Township officials added that they will post more information as it becomes available.
Drivers Told To Steer Clear
WTAE also reports that motorists have been warned to avoid the area while crews work to clear debris and check the stability of the slope. Officials have not given any estimate for when the corridor might reopen, and residents who live near the slide are being asked to follow township notices for detour details. Local responders remain on scene coordinating the response and next steps.
What Happens Next On Locust Avenue
PennDOT routinely tracks landslide-prone corridors in District 12, which covers Washington County, and keeps an inventory of monitored trouble spots, CBS Pittsburgh previously reported after a January slide that shut down part of I-79. When larger slides occur, the agency sends engineers to inspect slopes and decide whether roads can safely reopen. Residents near Locust Avenue should expect geotechnical reviews and cleanup work before any reopening is announced.
For the latest details, South Strabane Township is directing residents to its official news page; drivers are urged to follow local traffic alerts and stay away from the Locust Avenue corridor until officials clear the area. This story will be updated as PennDOT or township leaders release new information.
