McKEES ROCKS, Pa. -- With rain expected in the Pittsburgh region over the next few days, several communities are preparing for possible flooding.

With more than 2,000 sandbags and other preparations in place, McKees Rocks residents are still worried about flooding again this year.

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VIDEO: McKees Rocks Readies For Flooding
VIDEO: Connellsville Prepares For Flooding
VIDEO: Area Residents Prepare For Flooding

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Residents and businesses along Chartiers Creek are putting up sandbags, preparing for possible flooding.

A popular plaza along the creek flooded in 1996 after water rose from it and the nearby Ohio River.

If it comes to it, the town could drop its metal flood gate for the first time since 1996. According to the mayor of McKees Rocks, if water comes up and over the river bank, the borough will close the flood gates.

"In '96, they had tractor-trailers that were totally full and floating, because it was, like, frozen, it was ice," said McKees Rocks resident Shirley Holzer.

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ALLEGHENY COUNTY: Flood Preparedness
MAP: Interactive Pittsburgh Floodway Map
ALERT: Sign Up For Pittsburgh Flood Alerts
EMERGENCY KIT: How To Prepare A 72-Hour Kit
TIPS: Protect Your Home
PDF: Flood Safety Preparation
SANDBAG: How To Properly Sandbag

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Volunteers at the McKees Rocks Fire Department are on the third day of flood preparations.

"Generally, getting everything ready we can think of," said borough worker Mike Kirsch. "We're looking at the worst-case scenario and hoping for the best."

The best case scenario, officials said, would be to fill a total of 6,000 sandbags using the help of a homemade contraption.

Joe Fazio said he plans to patent the invention, which the borough has been using to help ease the workload on a dozen volunteers.

"It will pay off in the end. Public safety is our No, 1 goal here," said Fazio.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravensthal declared a state of emergency as the city and surrounding areas prepare for possible flooding.

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VIDEO: Flood Threat Continues; Mayor Declares State Of Emergency

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Ravenstahl made the declaration Wednesday. Heavy rains are expected Friday and into the weekend, and combined with melting snow is creating the potential for rising waters.

Ravenstahl said the emergency declaration will help the city more easily marshal resources if needed.

If there's a problem along the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, it will most likely occur Saturday night or Sunday, Harbaugh said.

The city is taking steps to prepare for any flooding. Those steps include ensuring that garbage cans and light poles are securely bolted. The city will also keep an eye on riverside electrical systems.

In Connellsville, residents remain concerned about the Youghiogheny River.

The Yough River in Jacob's Creek was expected to be the first area to flood in the area.

Residents were busy building barriers around their homes and moving valuables out of their basements. And firefighters went door-to-door alerting people to make plans to evacuate if the water gets too high.

"Everything that's valuable, we moved up to the second floor,” said Gino Gallo, who lives along the Youghiogheny. “As soon as the river crests the top of the bank, remove dishwasher, stove and refrigerator."

The flood of 1996 wiped out Martucci's Funeral Home. On Thursday, owner Vito Martucci placed sandbags around the property.

“We're anticipating high water here, so we're getting ready for it,” he said.

Carnegie Borough was devastated in 2004 when Chartiers Creek overran its banks in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. Many homes and businesses in the suburban Pittsburgh town never recovered.

This time, the borough, which has its main street sitting on the banks of Chartiers Creek, is taking no chances.

Joe Sharkey of the Historical Society of Carnegie spent Thursday moving box after box of valuables out of the basement.

"We’re hoping and praying it doesn’t flood,” he said.

Elaine Zajicek and her boyfriend lost two bars and a hair salon in 2004. Now, they’re taking precautions.

"We want to start reducing our inventory just in case our basement would be flooded,” she said. “(We’re) not ordering quite as much."

The forecast isn’t predicting another Hurricane Ivan, but borough crews have been cleaning out sewers and streets of debris to ensure water flows freely.

"In the unlikely event that something does happen, we are very prepared to handle the aftermath,” police Chief Jeffrey Harbin said.

Along the Allegheny River, the Three Rivers Rowing Association was removing boats from the water.

In Fombell, Beaver County, residents were closely watching Connoquenessing Creek. People who live along the tributary said the creek has already risen six feet and steps leading to a dock are underwater.

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