[Updated] Barges Breakaway on Ohio River

Around 70 barges broke away on the flooding Ohio River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Moundsville, West Virginia, on Saturday.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh watchstanders received reports of 45 barges breaking away from fleeting areas at mile maker 94 on the Ohio River near Moundsville and 27 barges breaking away from Jack’s Run Fleeting area at mile marker 4 on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh with four barges going over Emsworth Lock & Dam due to ice and high water.

A unified command consisting of the Coast Guard, United States Army Corps of Engineers and industry partners is responding. There are no reports of significant damage to Emsworth Lock & Dam and no environmental concerns from pollution.

As of Sunday afternoon, approximately 38 of the reported 45 breakaway barges from fleeting areas at mile maker 94 on the Ohio River near Moundsville have been recovered and secured. 25 of the 27 breakaway barges from Jack’s Run Fleeting area at mile marker 4 on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh have been accounted for, and five of the barges were reported to have gone over Emsworth Lock & Dam.

The barges broke away due to ice and high water.

Image: file photo of Moundsville Bridge on the Ohio River.