Flash Flooding and Flooding in Pennsylvania, September 7 to 11, 2011

Several roads were flooded in and around Cresson.

In Milesburg Borough, a trailer park and several roads were closed to flooding.

Sporadic flooding was reported along Alt 220 along Bald Eagle Creek between Milesburg and Port Matilda.

Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee caused extensive flooding across Mifflin County. Damage to roads and bridges across Mifflin County was estimated at nearly $100,000.

The Susquehanna River at Danville crested above moderate flood stage at 31.55 feet. This was the 2nd highest crest on record.

Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee caused extensive flooding across Montour County. Several roads were closed due to small stream flooding. A levee breech was reported on the Mahoning Creek in Danville, resulting in the flooding of the Danville Plaza shopping center. A nearby playground, gas station and school were flooded as a result of the levee breech as well. A preliminary total of 97 buildings were impacted by the flooding in Montour County, with two buildings being destroyed in the flooding, nine buildings suffering major damage and 77 suffering minor damage.

The Susquehanna River at Bloomsburg crested above record/major flood stage at 32.75 feet. Widespread flooding was reported in the Bloomsburg area.

Many roads were closed due to flooding from creeks and streams especially over the southern portion of the county. In Hemlock Township, Hemlock Creek overflowed its banks. A bridge on Dahl road was closed to traffic. Mainville and Mifflinville areas were pretty much isolated due to numerous road closings. In the village of Eyers Grove near Millville, water from Fishing Creek flooded the neighborhood. Water rescues were reported in the area. In Greenwood Township, Fishing Creek was a few feet away from Route 42 and was shut down.

Helicopter rescues were performed in Bloomsburg. More than a dozen residents living in a flooded section of West Main Street in downtown were stranded after Fishing Creek spilled its banks. Interstate 80 was also closed from Bloomsburg to Buckhorn, again after Fishing Creek spilled its banks. There was significant flooding in Bloomsburg. The Bloomsburg Fair, the largest fair in the state, was cancelled for the first time in its 157 year history. The fair grounds were under 10 to 12 feet of water.

Water plants were shutdown in Bloomsburg with a loss of water to 5000 customers. Multiple homes were reported washed away in Hemlock Township. Knoebels Amusement Park also took the flood hard with buildings reported knocked off their foundations.

A preliminary total of 21 structures were destroyed, 438 suffered major damage, and 140 suffered minor damage with a total of 868 structures impacted. Damage was estimated at $15,587,737 for public facilities.

The Yellow Breeches Creek near Camp Hill crested in moderate flood stage at 9.6 feet. Flood stage is 7.0 feet. This is the 10th highest crest on record. The Conodoguinet Creek near Hogestown crested in moderate flood stage at 10.52 feet. Flood stage is 8.0 feet.

Many roads in the county were closed due to flooding from creeks and streams. Flooding was reported along the Susquehanna River in the Wormleysburg area.

A portion of Bridge Street in New Cumberland was underwater and residents in that area evacuated. The street was closed, and Olde Towne Beverage was underwater. The Borough of New Cumberland was under state of emergency.

A preliminary total of 160 structures suffered major damage, and 100 suffered minor damage with a total of 448 structures impacted.

Swatara Creek near Hershey crested at major flood stage, 26.8 feet. Flood stage is 7.0 feet. Swatara Creek at Middletwon crested at major flood stage, estimated at 26.30 feet. Flood stage is 11.0 feet. This is the 5th highest all time.

The Susquehanna River at Harrisburg crested in major flood stage at 25.17 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. This is the 5th highest crest on record.

While the Susquehanna River flooded a large area of Harrisburg, some areas were fortunate enough to escape the flood waters. Midtown and Uptown residents were largely unscathed, though widespread power outages were reported. The river levels crested several feet below that of Agnes, thanks in part to less contribution from the West Branch of the Susquehanna.

Between 8,000 and 10,000 residents were evacuated. The Shipoke area of downtown reported significant flooding. City Island was also hard hit, with the baseball stadium under at least seven feet of water, prompting the double A baseball team to have to play its playoff games on the road.

Major damage was widespread in Hershey. Hersheypark and ZooAmerica both reported major damage with 8 feet of water in low lying areas of Hershey Park. Many structures were flooded and many roads suffered damage. A ramp off of Route 322 near the Penn State Hershey Medical Center had a 3-foot deep trench cut across the road. Swatara Creek cut a wide and devastating flood path. Evacuations were noted in Palmyra, Derry Township and Middletown.

A 70-year old man died when a basement wall collapsed on him in Derry Township. He was pumping water from his flooded basement. A second man died in flood waters. While details surrounding his death are unknown, his mud covered car and body were found in Swatara Township several days after the flooding. A third man, 81 years old, drowned after his car was washed into Clarks Creek in Middle Paxton Township. Finally, a fourth victim, a 54 year old female, was swept away by flood waters. Her body was recovered weeks later in Swatara Creek.

Water rescues were widespread in Dauphin County. One county rescuer was quoted, We were rescuing people on the way to rescuing people, Leonard said. There was no time for introductions or salutations. We were dispatched every 90 seconds for hours.

Severe flooding occurred on Spring Creek. House flooding, closed roads and water rescues using boats were conducted in Paxtang Borough and Swatara Township. Three-quarters of all roads were flooded in Derry Township. Middletown on the mouth of Swatara Creek, where it enters the Susquehanna River also reported major flooding. Five of the eighteen homes on Few Avenue were condemned from flood damage. The basements of these homes were visible from the street through giant holes in the foundation. Residents also reported a foul smell after the floods, with one resident saying, Imagine the contents of a septic tank mixed with diesel and fuel oil.

A preliminary total of 295 buildings were destroyed, 1040 suffered major damage, and 1273 suffered minor damage with a total of 3348 structures impacted. Overall damage was estimated at $150 million. In addition, 368 acres of crops were destroyed with an estimated value of $700,000.

The Susquehanna River at Danville crested above moderate flood stage at 31.55 feet. This was the 2nd highest crest on record. The West Branch Susquehanna River at Lewisburg crested in moderate flood stage at 25.91 feet. Flood stage is 18.0 feet. This was the 11th all time highest crest. The West Branch Susquehanna River at Milton crested in major flood stage at 26.6 feet. Flood stage is 19.0 feet. This is the 10th all time highest crest. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River at Watsontown crested in moderate flood stage of 26.7 feet. Flood stage is 20.0 feet. This is the 8th highest crest all time.

Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee resulted in extensive flooding across Northumberland County. The Priestley Bridge on Route 147, which links the borough of Northumberland and the city of Sunbury, was closed due to high water during the event. Additionally, evacuations occured on Packers Island, over which the Priestley Bridge passes. Citizens living in the lower-lying sections of Sunbury, including Sixth Street to Front Street and Shikellamy Avenue to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, were evacuated as the waters rose. Some of the hardest hit areas were in the city of Shamokin and adjacent Coal Township, where many homes had water enter their first floor. As the water rose on smaller streams in Shamokin, some of the bridges in town caused restricted flow, resulting in flooding of homes upstream of the bridges. Many homeowners reported that their damage was much worse than what was seen following the remnants of Hurricane Agnes in 1972, and the Shamokin Creek reached homes that had never previously been affected by flooding. Portions of the borough of Northumberland also received significant flooding. Route 11 between Northumberland and Tedd's Landing was closed due to the high water. Additionally, both lanes of Route 61 were closed from Shamokin to Route 487 pending a bridge inspection of the resultant flood damage. A preliminary total of 15 buildings were destroyed, 407 suffered major damage and 339 suffered minor damage, with a total of 1116 structures impacted by the flooding. Damages were reported at $604,957 for public facilities. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported in Northumberland County.

Sherman Creek at Shermans Dale crest above moderate flood stage at 11.04 feet. Flood stage is 9.0 feet.

Flooding was observed along the Susquehanna River in Perry County, primarily in the Duncannon area. Fortunately, water levels on the Juniata River remained below flood levels during this event. One building was reported destroyed in Perry County, with 74 suffering major damage and 158 suffering minor damage. A total of 234 structures were impacted during this event, and damages were reported at $10,500 for public facilities across the county.

Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee caused extensive flooding across Schuylkill County. The county made a Declaration of Disaster Emergency, along with the municipalities of Pine Grove Borough, Hegins Township, Tower City Borough, Porter Township, Port Clinton Borough, and Pine Grove Township.

The Pine Grove area appeared to take the brunt of the flooding. In Pine Grove Borough, the Swatara Creek overflowed its banks, causing massive flooding and damage to the area. Many people had to be rescued from their homes when the waters rose to dangerous levels, or from their vehicles after attempting to drive through the raging waters. National Guard personnel from nearby Fot Indiantown Gap were called in to assist with evacuating certain areas, particularily two mobile home parks in the area. An estimated 50% of the homes were flooded in Pine Grove Borough. A rescue boat was reported to have capsized near Pine Grove during the event, and a member of the rescue team suffered hypothermia. Three bridges were reported to have washed away in Schuylkill County, two in the Pine Grove area and one in West Penn Township.

Hundreds of people were temporarily displaced by flooding in Pine Grove and Schuylkill Haven, with approximately 140 of them taking shelter at the Pine Grove High School. The Borough of Gilberton, including Mahanoy Plane and Maizeville, sustained flooding from this event as well, although residents reported that it wasn't as severe as the Flood of 2006. Minor flooding was reported in the Long Row section of Gilberton, areas in a five-block section of Railroad Street also in Gilberton, and part of Water Street in Mahanoy Plane. Additionally, Upper Mahantango Township evacuated some residents in Klingerstown along Main St and Ridge Road.

Portions of state routes 443, 895, 645, 125, 25 and 183 in Schuylkill County were closed during the event, with only SR61 remaining open in the Pottsville area. A portion of Interstate-81 in the Pine Grove area was closed when the driver of a tractor trailer and the occupants of three passenger vehicles were caught in high waters and had to be rescued.

A preliminary total of 20 buildings were destroyed in Schuylkill County, with 148 suffering major damage and 573 suffering minor damage. A total of 741 structures were impacted by flooding during the event. Damages were estimated at $4,148,317 for public facilities.

Widespread small stream flooding was reported across Snyder County as a result of heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. Flooding was reported on Middle Creek in the borough of Middleburg. Flooding was also reported in the borough of Selinsgrove. Ten roads were closed across the county due to high water. A preliminary total of 23 buildings were destroyed in Synder County, with 382 suffering major damage and 59 suffering minor damage. A total of 799 structures impacted were eimpacted during the event. Damages were estimated at $229,892 for public facilities in the county.

A section of Business Route 15 near Mansfield was closed Wednesday night (9/7) into Thursday morning (9/8) by flood waters from the Tioga River and Canoe Camp Creek. The impacted stretch of roadway reopened by Thursday afternoon. This relatively short section of road runs from the southern edge of Mansfield Borough southward into Richmond Township, near the highway access to new Route 15.

A few homes were evacuated along a private road near Mill Creek. Some secondary township roads were also closed. Damages were estimated at $449,652 for public facilities in the county.

The West Branch Susquehanna River at Lewisburg crested in moderate flood stage at 25.91 feet. Flood stage is 18.0 feet. This was the 11th all time highest crest. The West Branch Susquehanna River at Milton crested in major flood stage at 26.6 feet. Flood stage is 19.0 feet. This is the 10th all time highest crest. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River at Watsontown crested in moderate flood stage of 26.7 feet. Flood stage is 20.0 feet. This is the 8th highest crest all time.

Several roads in Union County were closed due to flooding from creeks and streams, resulting from heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. Flooding was reported on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, with extensive damage reported along Water Street in Lewisburg. Additionally, flooding severely damaged at least three homes inhabited by Bucknell University students on South Sixth Street. Evacuation areas included sections of South Sixth, St. George, Mill, South Third and nearby streets. Water also overran Route 15 at St. Mary Street. Floods typically wash out Daniel Greene Field, off St. Mary Street, as well as the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority Park at North 15th and St. Mary streets.

A preliminary total of 174 buildings across Union County suffered major damage from this event, with 56 suffering minor damage and a total of 230 structures impacted. Damage was estimated at $799,799 for public facilities across the county.

Life-threatening flash flooding closed Route 230 between Highspire and Middletown.

A 55-year old man was swept away in floodwaters from Route 72 just north of Frog Hollow Drive in Swatara Township. He was trapped in rising waters on Swatara Creek.|The Lebanon County Emergency Management Agency fielded 4,500 calls, normal calls number 200. Another man attempted to warn motorists of the high water potential when he was struck and killed by a vehicle on West Cumberland Street in North Lebanon Township.

The Quittapahilla Creek was out of its banks and flooding roadways around Annville. Cleona Borough reported significant flooding from this creek. Dozens of homes experienced several feet of water in basements. All bridges over this creek were under water.

Major flooding occurred in the Palmyra area with numerous dispatches for help.|Lebanon City and Myerstown had many flooded roads with stranded cars.

All major routes in and out of Jonestown were closed. Interstate 81 was closed near Swatara Creek. A preliminary total of 148 structures were destroyed, 1601 suffered major damage, and 701 minor damage with a total of 3398 structures impacted. Damage was estimated at $2,030,985 for public facilities.

Major flooding occurred in Sullivan County. Sonestown, Dushore and Hillsgrove all reported significant flooding in town. Approximately 10 roads were closed in the county due to flooding from creeks and streams. A preliminary total of 24 buildings were destroyed, 64 suffered major damage, and 114 suffered minor damage with a total of 248 structures impacted.

Widespread flash flooding was reported in several townships, including Sonestown, Dushore and Hillsgrove.

Life-threatening flash flooding resulted in numerous water rescues across York County. Additionally, home evacuations were reported in Dover and Felton, and Route 74 was closed near Weigelstown.

Life-threatening flash flooding occurred across a large part of western Lancaster County, inlcuding Elizabethtown, Manheim, Marietta and Columbia much of the day into the evening hours.

Loyalsock Creek at Loyalsockville crested at record/major flood level of 19.78 feet. Flood stage is 12.0 feet. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River at Muncy crested in moderate flood stage of 26.7 feet. Flood stage is 20.0 feet. This is the 9th highest crest all time. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River at Montgomery crested in moderate flood stage of 26.7 feet. Flood stage is 20.0 feet. This is the 12th highest crest all time.

Muncy Creek flooded extensive areas near Hughesville and Muncy. Residents reported the creek overflowing its banks and rushing down 5th Street flooding homes and yards. One home had its chimney and foundation washed away. Others reported extensive basement flooding. One resident just had their three-bedroom basement completely finished in January. An off-ramp off the Route 405 Bridge was washed away. Glen Mar just north of Muncy was evacuated.

The bridge on Route 220 near Hughesville is closed, though it did survive the floods. It will take several weeks before the bridge is safe to cross. Picture Rocks, also on Muncy Creek suffered extensive damage.

Route 87 on the Loyalsock Creek north of Montoursville was hard hit. Many homes outside of the 100 year flood plain reported significant flooding (and did not have flood insurance).

Evacuations along the Loyalsock and Muncy Creeks. Damage was estimated at $11,195,177 for public facilities.

The Susquehanna River at Marietta crested in major flood stage at 58.16 feet. Flood stage is 49.0 feet. This is the 4th highest crest on record. The Conestoga River at Lancaster crested in major flood stage at 21.30 feet. Flood stage is 11.0 feet. This is the 2nd highest crest on record.

Life-threatening flash flooding affected a large part of western Lancaster County, inlcuding Elizabethtown, Manheim, Marietta and Columbia.

Mudslides, trapped motorists and flooded homes were widespread from Elizabethtown to Columbia in northwest Lancaster County. Mount Joy and Marietta also experience major flooding.

At one point on the afternoon of the 8th, emergency dispatchers were handling more than a call per minute from stranded drivers and homeowners experiencing flooding. The flooded roadways severely limited responders ability to reach those in need. In Elizabethtown the only north-south road accessible was Mount Joy Road. A particularly dangerous water rescue occurred at 5pm when Maryland State Police helicopters rescued six motorists after their vehicles (large trucks) became disabled on East Main Street in Mount Joy. Multiple vehicles were stranded on Route 30 westbound at Prospect Road, west of Mountville. Mudslides closed parts of Route 441 and Elizabethtown Road. Most of the above mentioned Townships declared States of Emergency during this flood. 20 municipalities in total declared disasters. Cocalico Creek raged out of its banks during this event, flooding many locations in Ephrata Borough and Township. At least 20 homes were condemned there, including an apartment building. Water covered the bridge and all of Main Street.

Major flooding occurred along Chickies Creek in and near the Manheim area. The southern side of Manheim was underwater from flooding along the creek, resulting in a significant number of structures flooding. Route 72 was underwater from the creek. At one point, cars were described as floating down Main Street in Manheim. The Twin Kiss restaurant at Fruitville Pike and Main Street was partially submerged under about 4 feet of water. Mayor Eric Phillips described Manheim as almost an island surrounded by rising floodwaters at one point during the storm. The Manheim Twin Kiss, a Manheim institution here for decades, had 3 feet of the water wash through it which toppled commercial refrigerators and other massive objects. In West Hempfield Township, a crew in boats helped a couple evacuate their home near Siegrist and Farmdale roads.

The 156 year-old Siegrist's Mill Bridge in Rapho Township was lost, as it was ravaged by flood waters from Chickies Creek on the afternoon of the 8th. During Agnes, the bridge shifted a few feet and was cemented back into place. Two other county-owned covered bridges, as well as two other conventional bridges, were closed for repairs because of the storm damage. They included Little Chickies No. 2 on Pinkerton Road, Little Chickies No. 4 on Drager Road, Big Conestoga No. 6, also called the Pinetown covered bridge on Bridge Road and Little Conestoga No. 1 on Shreiner Station Road.

Flooding along the Susquehanna was also reported in the Marietta area. Structure flooding was widespread along several streets near the river. A traditional Marietta measuring stick, at Shank's Tavern on Front Street, showed a watermark about 3 feet up the structure. That mark was a couple feet short of archived watermarks from a 1936 flood and the Hurricane Agnes flooding of 1972.

On the Conestoga River, Lancaster city officials evacuated residents from low-lying areas of Almanac Avenue and South Broad Street, near the river. Crews also evacuated 25 people from Conestoga Boulevard in Conestoga Township, going door to door to ask them to leave their homes. Hundreds of roads were closed across the county, a county dispatch supervisor said. Parts of major routes were closed, including routes 222, 30, 23, 72, 441, 230, 322, 741 and 772.

PPL ordered the evacuation of its Holtwood Hydroelectric Plant on Thursday afternoon. The generating plant was shut down and about 20 plant employees were evacuated, beginning about 4 p.m. Another 80 workers involved in the ongoing $434 million expansion of the plant also were evacuated. The last time the hydroelectric plant went through an emergency shutdown and was evacuated was probably during Agnes, a PPL spokesman said.

Three deaths were noted in Lancaster County. A 62-year-old woman in a vehicle became stranded on Route 322 near Pumping Station Road in Elizabeth Township Thursday morning. Her car was swept away in the water and submerged. An 8-year-old boy playing in a flooded backyard in East Cocalico Township was swept off his feet by the water. His head became caught in a submerged storm drain, where he was found by emergency personnel. He was taken to Ephrata Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A man was swept away as he tried to walk through water just off White Oak Road, near the border of Rapho and Penn townships.

A preliminary total of 32 structures were destroyed, 395 suffered major damage, and 1339 minor damage with a total of 1782 structures impacted. Damage was estimated at $818,110 for public facilities. A total of 189 water rescues were performed.

Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern crested at record/major flood stage, 24.46 feet. Flood stage is 9.0 feet. This is the 2nd highest crest on record.

A 55-year old man was swept away in floodwaters from Route 72 just north of Frog Hollow Drive in Swatara Township. He was trapped in rising waters on Swatara Creek.|The Lebanon County Emergency Management Agency fielded 4,500 calls, normal calls number 200. Another man attempted to warn motorists of the high water potential when he was struck and killed by a vehicle on West Cumberland Street in North Lebanon Township.

The Quittapahilla Creek was out of its banks and flooding roadways around Annville. Cleona Borough reported significant flooding from this creek. Dozens of homes experienced several feet of water in basements. All bridges over this creek were under water.

Major flooding occurred in the Palmyra area with numerous dispatches for help.|Lebanon City and Myerstown had many flooded roads with stranded cars.

All major routes in and out of Jonestown were closed. Interstate 81 was closed near Swatara Creek. A preliminary total of 148 structures were destroyed, 1601 suffered major damage, and 701 minor damage with a total of 3398 structures impacted. Damage was estimated at $2,030,985 for public facilities.

Life-threatening flash flooding resulted in numerous water rescues across York County. Additionally, home evacuations were reported in Dover and Felton, and Route 74 was closed near Weigelstown.

A tractor-trailer carrying huge concrete slabs drove through the flooded intersection of Lincoln Highway and Kreutz Creek Road in Hallam and rescued people from the roofs of their vehicles. Wrightsville also reported major flooding and roads were closed in all directions out of town. A stream was reported to have eroded an embankment at the Mount Rose exit off of Interstate 83. Multiple water rescues in occurred in York, Hallam, Mount Wolf, Red Lion, Loganville and Shrewsbury. Water came over the road at Little Conewago Creek at PA Route 74. North George Street at Dundee and Aberdeen was flooded in York. Indian Rock Dam in North Codorus Township closed its gates to help minimize downstream runoff.

On man was killed in his basement after striking his head because the power was off due to the flooding.

A preliminary total of 19 buildings were destroyed, 161 suffered major damage, and 778 suffered minor damage with a total of 1,209 structures impacted. Damage was estimated at $4,716,703 for public facilities.

Heavy rain produced flash flooding in the Pine Grove area.

Widespread flash flooding continued from the evening of September 7th into the early morning hours of September 8th in several townships, including Sonestown, Dushore and Hillsgrove.

Heavy rainfall resulted in road closures across northern Somerset County. Small stream flooding was reported, along with flooded basements. Small stream flooding was reported in Central City, with water entering the first floor of several buildings.

Heavy rain caused flash flooding in portions of Franklin County. High water was reported over Highway 16, and significant flash flooding in was reported in Greencastle.

Water was reported in homes and covering parts of main street in Coledale.

A preliminary total of 20 structures reported minor damage with a total of 42 structures impacted. Damage was estimated at $197,460 for public facilities.

Flash flooding resulted in the closing of roads in the vicinity of the Horseshoe Curve.

Heavy rain caused flash flooding in portions of Blair County, including Newry and Logan Townships. A flooded mobile home park in Allegheny Township was also reported.

Several water rescues were reported in Port Royal and along Route 75 outside of town.

A bridge washed out on Hanchar Lane in Bell Township near Route 219.

Heavy rain produced flash flooding in Herndon and Rebuck.

Several roads were closed throughout the county. Water rescues were performed in the vicinity of East Berlin. A preliminary total of 60 structures reported major damage, 64 structures minor damage for a total 124 impacted structures. Damage was estimated at $63,850 for public facilities.

Flash flood waters stranded a vehicle in high water in Paradise Township near East Berlin.