Flooding Closes Local Schools and Roads in Central PA.

PennLive; The Patriot-News ^ | September 7, 2011 | staff

[Palladin]

Susquehanna River to Flood:

Susquehanna River now forecast to crest at 26.2 feet.

Breaking News

Susquehanna River now forecast to crest at 26.2 feet in Harrisburg Published: Wednesday, September 07, 2011, 5:06 PM Updated: Wednesday, September 07, 2011, 5:12 PM By The Patriot-News

Forecasts for where the Susquehanna River will crest in Harrisburg have steadily increased in the last two days, and the National Weather Service is now calling for the river to crest at 26.2 feet early Friday morning.

Flood stage for the river is 17 feet. At 20 feet, flooding is considered moderate, and at 23 feet, it's major.

When the river reaches 23 feet, evacuations are necessary in the Shipoke area of Harrisburg, according to the NWS. At 24 feet, the residential section of Front and Second streets floods. And at 26 feet, Green and Vaughn streets flood.

Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson has declared a stage of emergency for the city, meaning the city’s emergency operations center is now open and the mayor’s office will continue to monitor the situation and notify residents of flood developments.

Thompson said city employees and volunteers will use bullhorns and knock on doors tomorrow to tell residents to move household items to higher levels and evacuate certain sections of Harrisburg.

[caww]

It’s all over the major news networks that 100,000 mandatory evacuations. It’s certainly going to get worse before better it appears.

[caww]

, the underground fire of Centralia is in the region affected.

Maybe some of this water will crush some of it's advance across the region. I have visited Centralia and it's the most eerie place seeing smoke come out of the ground and bare trees all around. Cracked and lifted roads. For the most part the area has been abandoned.

[Lady Lucky]

Historical trivia: 111 years ago today the Galveston Hurricane occurred. For loss of life (thousands), the worst natural disaster in US history.

[angcat]

UPDATE:

TO: Hazleton Area Industries

The Pennsylvania State Police have advised that there is an URGENT need for Truck Parking in the Greater Hazleton Area!

Due to eminent highway flooding, Interstate 80 westbound will be closing at the 80/81 intersection this afternoon.

Also, Route 93 Northbound will be closed to TRUCK TRAFFIC at the Hampton Inn/Top of the 80’s area.

The trucks that are being stopped will need an area to locate temporarily and parking areas are needed.

Please advise if you have any available parking to accommodate tractor trailers during this emergency

Either call or reply by e-mail immediately.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

[angcat]

http://www.wnep.com/news/

Evacuations underway in Wilkes Barre PA.

[Lady Lucky]

I have heard the (Loyalsock) bridge has collapsed, but not confirmed it was the truss bridge. Hard to imagine. :(

[Born Conservative]

It’s not looking any better north of there. The river is expected to crest at 40.7 feet (subject to change) in Wilkes-Barre. The levees protect to 41 feet.

[baseballmom]

It’s crazy. We had our first “rain” day today from school. Flooding and power outtages in Haverford schools.

Schuykill(Rt 76) closed eastbound into Phila for 8 hours this morning due to a mud slide, and now westbound is closed due to a tree down. Transit shut down all over the place, and many streets closed due to flooding.

News says they are worried about the Delaware river flooding due to water coming down from NY. Yikes!!

It’s still raining....

[Born Conservative]

Berwick is fine, and will only get flooded to the west from some creeks. Nescopeck, across the river, will likely get hammered. Here is a video from Bloom (Fishing Creek) earlier today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVpNAeCiuSk&feature=share

[angcat]

Pennsylvania State Police confirm the Loyalsock Bridge over Loyalsock Creek (Slabtown Bridge) near Montoursville has collapsed.

The railroad bridge south of Broad Street has sustained heavy damage

[tomkat]

It's a for real mess, no doubt.

Here's a link to the online version of the local rag:  Daily Item.

Only God knows how many gallons the two big sumps have pumped away from the house, but so far I've dealt with ~1,200 gallons with the big shopvac that eluded the sumps.

My acre's on top of a little hill, so all the above is purely rain water.
The folks for whom it'll be a total pita are the flatlanders who've had the river/creeks backing up into their homes and will have to ..wait.. to clean up.

Good news for the moment is that the rain seems to have washed the crosshairs off the roof !
The deluge stopped earlier this morning, and what's left is sliding by northwards and off to the west.
Judging by the radar, another 2-3hrs and sky's should finally begin to clear.

Not as sexy as a hurricane perhaps, but it'll do til one comes along.

[tomkat]

Dang ! (bridge collapsing)

Here's a link to what passes for tv coverage around here, with lots of info re what's currently up:  WNEP - ABC

[Palladin]

Rain, rain—go away! How long can this keep up?

Bad up this way in Lycoming County and points north and south. Helicopter rescues going on as we speak along the Loyalsock Creek. One old bridge on 973 completely washed out—railroad bridge south of us ready to go.

Truck and train commerce will be greatly affected. Pray!

[Palladin]

Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, Cumberland, York—all up and down the river valley. Same areas as during Agnes, 1972.

Hershey Park is underwater. Most major highways closed...and it’s still raining!

[lightman]

...and it’s still raining!

Western York County has had about five hours of blessed relief from the rain, but the wind is now picking up from the NE.

After 12 1/2 inches of rain it won't take much of a breeze to bring down shallow rooted trees that are in full, saturated leaf.

I've lost four so far. Free firewood.

[tomkat]

Ok, putting the nap on hold, I had to go have a look !

Here are some pics from the Lewisburg area from about an hour ago.
Bear in mind that the Susquehanna won't crest til sometime tomorrow or Saturday, and at a significantly higher level than in these pics.

(click on these to see larger versions)

The first two were taken from the I-80 bridge over the Susquehanna, just a couple hundred yards from where the Interstate is closed to the east .. from the river to at least Bloomsburg.

Looking north at what is usually Rt.405 headed to Watsontown, but now totally submerged.
The traffic signs on the right stand about 8ft above the ground.

Next one is looking west toward the river.
The trees in the foreground just off the nose of my truck sit well back from the riverbank, and a good 8' above the water on a normal day.

This one is looking north from Market St. in Lewisburg at the old railroad bridge.
Normal river level is about 8-10ft below what you see on those piers .. well, the little bit of the piers you cansee.

The Market St. bridge crossing the river into Lewisburg from the east is closed.
This has prompted a celebratory atmosphere of folks gawping at the bazillion gallons of chocolate milk haulin' ass to the Chesapeake Bay.

[NautiNurse]

Amazing photos. I won't say a word about two tropical storms that are potential threats next week. Y'all have your hands full right now. Stay safe.

[PA Engineer]

Thanks for the reports. Here are some videos from Accuweather.

[PiperShade]

I’m not unsympathetic to your position !

Regardless if the “staked claim” is in a river flood plain, or on an exposed shore its not in the “public interest” to protect INDIVIDUALS from the consequences of their foolish actions ! >PS

[caww]

Just got on FR....

Family reporting from there area.....Troy Pa. and Towanda Pa.

State of emergency throughout Bradford county. Schools all closed...roads closed everywhere.

My Sisters creek raging like a river...bridge surface taking on mud now and impassable...flats are completely flooded....

The Susqehanna is 25 miles north of them but bringing devastation to it’s tributaries etc. Everyones on high alert through tonight.

How’s the bridge in Montoursville holding out?

Binghamton and Wilksbarre evacuated tis afternoon....surrounding areas all fighting flooding. Interstate 80 and 81 closed off and tey are asking for people to assist in letting truckers park their rigs since they are being pulled off the interstate now.....