Heavy rain clogged storm sewer

WELLSVILLE - Village street crews and an outside contractor were busy Monday trying to unclog a storm sewer at Clark and 20th streets caused by debris brought into pipe from large volumes of water coming from the hillsides over the weekend.

The water brought with it debris such as wood and even tires that clogged the sewer line so badly that the area resembled a lake early Monday morning, according to officials.

Police notified the street department about 1 a.m. Monday that water was rising, and Mayor Joe Surace commended employees Jim Bauer and Kevin Fullerton for rerouting the water into a working drain.

Without those efforts, a nearby mobile home park would have been flooded, he said.

Mike Pusateri Excavating was called in to try to dislodge the debris, with Surace saying if that were unsuccessful, Pusateri would have to dig up the street to reach the clog.

Surace also directed acting Administrator Rick Williams to notify LSW Inc. in case more assistance is needed since the company is familiar with village sewer lines.

Water seemed to be flowing through the system on Clark Street by mid-afternoon, and employees said a large tire had been found lodged inside, but they were continuing some work in the area.