Posted on 09/09/2011 7:01:21 AM PDT by Tribune7
Unheralded Tropical Storm Lee has brought the worst flooding to Northeast Pennsylvania since Hurricane Agnes of 1972. There have been four reported deaths as of this morning, Sept. 9.
Father James Hayer of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Wilkes Barre reported this at 6:09 a.m.
The Susquehanna River has flooded, cresting at almost 39 feet a few hours ago. It was expected to crest at 40.7 feet, which was a deep concern because the levee system maximum height is 41 feet.
We are only 2 blocks from the river, but everything here by the church (695 N. Main St.) is ok so far because we are on high ground. So far, 65,000 people have been evacuated from the Wyoming valley. The river crested this morning at 1AM and has begun to recede, but is still flowing very fast.
If the levee holds within the next 12 hours, the water should slow down and recede even further - so we are thankful, but holding our breath. Unfortunately, many communities not protected by the dike system are now underwater.
Our biggest concern near the church is becoming landlocked and/or losing power. Deacon Ed and I went to bless the river yesterday morning after liturgy and, within 10 minutes, the dry grass was covered. 40 minutes later, that road was closed. The water levels rose very quickly yesterday, exacerbating the problem for many people.
ping
It’s quite a mess here in NNJ also. Some dry sunshine would be nice.
I remember a hurricane named Agnes in 1972 when I was in Olean, New York. The Wilkes-Barre area was inundated and caskets were washed out of the cemeteries. If memory serves, Agnes was the largest hurricane of its type to make it that far inland.
According to the Scranton Times, the river has crested and is starting to fall. The levees have held. I-80 and Route 15 have reopened. Nittany Lions fans will be delighted about that.
I’m from a bit farther upstream. When Agnes hit Elmira, NY there was only one guy smart enough to move his inventory to higher ground in Horseheads, NY. It was a head shop that sold hippie clothes and smoking paraphenalia called People’s Place. It belonged to a guy named Tommy Hilfiger.
Agnes wasn’t even a hurricane by the time it got to Pennsylvania. It was “merely” a tropical storm, but it dropped a huge amount of rain over a very large area for an extended period of time. Lee looks like it’s doing the same, but not as bad.
The blessing worked :-)
The blessing sorta worked.
Friends of ours in West Pittston, one of which works right in Wilkes-Barre, moved all their furniture upstairs yesterday, and, without power, were hanging out on their second floor,burning candles for light,waiting for the water to come in and down their street. Friends of theirs from another part of town came to stay with them after they watched their basement fill with two and a half feet of water.
None of them can get to W-B because the bridges are unpassable. But they did say this AM that the biggest part of it seems to be over. Over 100,000 people from that area were evacuated.
Friends of ours in West Pittston, one of which works right in Wilkes-Barre, moved all their furniture upstairs yesterday, and, without power, were hanging out on their second floor,burning candles for light,waiting for the water to come in and down their street. Friends of theirs from another part of town came to stay with them after they watched their basement fill with two and a half feet of water.
None of them can get to W-B because the bridges are unpassable. But they did say this AM that the biggest part of it seems to be over. Over 100,000 people from that area were evacuated.
LOL, that’s what I thought when I read the article. Oh and the pictures aren’t just from W-B but from all over up and down the Susquehanna. Despite the expected flooding over the years (I grew up in Lewisburg and most of my family is still in Milton), it’s hard to wrap my brain around the extent of the damage this time. Pretty astounding.
That Sunbury wall was built after the 36 flood
Wow.
Ping to Eastern Catholics and Orthodox.
I also remember when they built "Fabridam", the worlds largest inflatable Dam, and put in that lovely marina that was promptly washed away by I think by Agnes.
Here's a link to the Fabridam Web Cam:
I've been looking at the flooding pictures, and I keep seeing things and saying "Hey, I've walked along that track", or "I've stood on that railroad bridge". We visited Sunbury and Selinsgrove (my mother's home town) a few times a year, and I'd go all over the place. It's a lovely area, when it isn't under water.
I grew up in the country near Elysburg
I’ve supposedly been to Knoebel’s grove but I don’t remember. I know I’ve been to Idlewood (sp?), that’s where I rode my first coaster, using S&H green stamps I believe that my aunt collected. Long time ago though.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.