Flooding in Pennsylvania, January 8 to 10, 1998

The combination of snowmelt from well above normal temperatures and periodic heavy rainfall propelled minor to moderate flooding along the north branch of the Susquehanna river in northeastern Pennsylvania. The river first rose above flood stage from Great Bend to Towanda and Meshoppen during the morning hours of the 8th. By that afternoon, significant rises had made it downstream to Wilkes-Barre. Periods of heavy rain over the region on the evening of the 8th added enough runoff to continue ascent of river levels well into the day on the 9th. By the early evening hours of the 9th, water levels had crested 3 to 5 feet above flood stage at most points. This resulted in minor lowland flooding and closure of adjancent roadways along many stretches of the river. However, in the Falls township section of Wyoming county, a portion of a more frequently traveled road (route 92) was closed for a time on the 9th and some basement flooding was also reported. Sections of route 11 in West Pittston in Luzerne county also took on water with minor flooding occurring in some yards close to the river banks. The river began receding during the evening of the 9th. By late at night on the 10th, all points within the Susquehanna basin had fallen back below flood stage.