LATEST: National Weather Service confirms tornado touched down near Allegheny County Airport

A dangerous night of severe weather brought tornadoes and flooding throughout the area.

National Weather Service Storm Damage Survey crews have confirmed an EF-1 tornado with 105 mph winds touched down near the Highland Park Bridge in Allegheny County with damage also reported at the Pittsburgh Zoo. This is the first confirmed tornado in Pittsburgh city limits since the tornado touchdown on Mount Washington in 1998.

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SATURDAY UPDATES

UPDATE 8:30 PM: The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down near the Allegheny County Airport on Friday. It was rated as an EF-0. Officials say it traveled a path of 0.6 miles after it started at the airport in West Mifflin. Video evidence helped NWS determine that the tornado traveled down Noble Drive. No one was injured by this tornado.

UPDATE NOON: The NWS survey team on Saturday confirmed an EF-0 with a maximum wind speed of 70 miles per hour touched down in Harrison City, Westmoreland County, on Friday. The tornado tracked from the Municipal Complex to the Greensburg-Jeannette Regional Airport. The NWS says this tornado created minor tree and structural damage.

UPDATE 10:15 AM: NWS officials tell Channel 11 that they’re “fairly confident” a fourth tornado briefly touched down near the Allegheny County Airport on Friday. It appears to have been small and did little to no damage. The NWS doesn’t plan to survey the area for damage.

UPDATE 9:15 AM: The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium will open on Saturday, with modified operations. The zoo says the tornado downed multiple trees, damaged fences, caused a power outage, toppled objects and spread debris throughout the park. Crews worked overnight to restore power and clear pathways, but cleanup will be ongoing throughout the day.

Click here to read more about the zoo’s operations on Saturday.

UPDATE 8:45 AM: University Boulevard is closed between Stoops Ferry Road (Route 51) and Campus drive until further notice because of a downed tree and landslide.

FRIDAY UPDATES

UPDATE 10:30 PM:

The tornado that touched down near the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in Highland Park has been rated an EF-1.

UPDATE 8:30 PM:

This is the first tornado that has touched down within Pittsburgh city limits since 1998, the National Weather Service said.

UPDATE 7 PM:

Showers and storms are calming down, the National Weather Service says. Weak rotation can still be spotted near the Pennsylvania/West Virginia border.

UPDATE 6:20 PM:

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium said all animals, guests and staff are safe after a tornado touched down nearby.

There is reported damage to zoo grounds and property.

A full update on Saturday operations will be provided in the morning.

UPDATE 6:10 PM:

Gov. Josh Shapiro said his administration and PEMA are monitoring the tornadoes.

UPDATE 6:05 PM:

Matt Butrovich, who filmed the video above, spoke with Channel 11 over the phone. He said he was in East Liberty when he saw what looked like a funnel cloud at 4:42 p.m.

UPDATE 5:57 PM:

A tree fell on a car in Ross Township, behind the Ross Park Mall on Woodsdale Road. Below is a photo from our crew at the scene.

The man who was driving the car is OK.

UPDATE 5:52 PM:

UPDATE 5:46 PM:

The Tornado Warning has expired. A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for Allegheny County.

UPDATE 5:32 PM:

A new Tornado Warning is now in effect for Westmoreland County.

UPDATE 5:20 PM:

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for a large portion of Allegheny County.

UPDATE 5:15 PM:

The National Weather Service has confirmed three tornado touchdowns in our area. One was reported in Harrison City, Westmoreland County, one from Elrama in Washington County to Elizabeth in Allegheny County and one on Washington Boulevard near the Highland Park Bridge in Highland Park.

A new Tornado Warning is now in effect in Murrysville.

UPDATE 5:08 PM:

A new Tornado Warning has been issued for Allegheny and Westmoreland counties until 5:45 p.m. There are now two active warnings for different parts of these counties.

UPDATE 5 PM:

Streets Run Road is closed from Brentwood Road to the City of Pittsburgh line because of flooding, according to Baldwin police.

UPDATE 4:43 PM:

UPDATE 4:40 PM:

The National Weather Service is looking at two clouds in Washington and Westmoreland counties as possible funnel clouds.

>> Possible funnel cloud spotted in Washington County, NWS says

A video shared with Channel 11 shows one potential funnel cloud crossing Interstate 70 in South Strabane Township, near Floral Hill Drive.

Another video shows a possible funnel cloud above a house in Harrison City.

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