Many fire companies throughout our area were kept busy clearing flooded streets and basements following the past two weeks of heavy rains, rising waters and melting snow that caused havoc for area drivers and residents. Borough officials and residents from area communities pointed out their great appreciation to all the volunteer firefighters and dedicated municipal workers who worked hard in the rain to clear drains, streets and basements over the past two weeks. Volunteers using their pumps and hoses to remove tons of water from a family's basement located on Spruce Drive in West Penn Township are West Penn Fire Company Lt. Martin Baddick, left, and firefighter Cloyd Troxell.