Little Meadows, Pennsylvania

... Pennsylvania severe weather awareness week...

Today/S topic is river flooding and river flood safety. In northeast
Pennsylvania we are fortunate to have beautiful river systems
Grace the landscape. Most of the time these rivers are of Scenic
beauty and attract much recreation and many outdoor enthusiasts.
However on some occasions they become destructive and even deadly...
as history has taught US. In 1936, 1946, 1972, 1975, 1996, 2005 and
more recently in June 2006 the Susquehanna River system has
experienced significant flooding... taking lives and causing untold
dollars Worth of damage to our residents.

... What causes river floods?...
generally... prolonged periods of heavy rainfall sometimes combined
with extensive snowmelt over a large part of the
Chemung... Susquehanna and/or Delaware River basins cause the rivers
to swell in northeast Pennsylvania and occasionally flood. This is
especially true in late winter and Spring when the snowpack from the
previous winter melts. If the snow melts quickly and combines with
heavy rainfall... major flooding could result... such as the floods
that occurred January 1996. The floods of 1996 were the worst since
Agnes of 1972 in many parts of Pennsylvania. Seventeen people died
as a result of the flood... 51 thousand homes were damaged... along
with 1900 businesses... 1400 roads and 78 Parks. More than 200
thousand people were evacuated at some time during the flooding.

Of the 17 deaths... more than 50 percent were automobile related.
Many intentionally drove into flooded areas and were swept away.
A combination of strong winds... temperatures that fell into the
teens... and ice cold water... meant that survival times were
especially short.

Our rivers can flood anytime of the year. In winter and early
Spring... rapid melting of a deep snowpack with heavy rain can be the
culprit. In Summer... complexes of slow moving thunderstorms can
cause the rivers to flood. In late Summer and fall... tropical storms
and hurricanes are the biggest threat for river flooding.

Flooding caused by an extended period of very heavy rain occurred at
the end of June 2006. A large area of 8 to 15 inches of rain fell
over a 48 hour period from June 26th through June 28th. Record
breaking river flooding occurred at many points along the
Susquehanna and Delaware rivers.

Presidential disaster declarations were made in many parts of
northeast Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated
to outside areas. In the end... at least 2000 homes were damaged or
destroyed... .with damages estimates totaling at least 750 million
dollars.

... What does a river Flood Watch mean?...
a river Flood Watch means there is the potential for river flooding
to occur... not that river flooding is occurring. The watch is
typically issued for one or more points along the river counties at
a time... and ideally is issued 12 to 24 hours before flooding is
expected. This way you will have enough time to prepare.

... What you should do when a river Flood Watch is issued...
go about your normal activities... but periodically check NOAA
Weather Radio... or local TV and radio stations for updates and
possible river flood warnings. Get ready to move your personal
property out of the areas known to flood.

If you live or work in an area which is prone to flooding... have a
safe evacuation Route to use if flooding occurs. Make sure everyone
in your home or office knows where to go if flooding occurs. Have a
battery operated radio... and several flashlights available and in
working order. Take precautions to secure your property.

... What does a river Flood Warning mean?...
a river Flood Warning means that river levels will exceed flood stage
on certain points along our larger rivers... like the
Chemung... Susquehanna and Delaware rivers. River floods take longer
to develop so they may not pose as much threat to life... but can
take a much larger toll on property.

... What you should do when a river Flood Warning is issued...
if you live in a flood plain... be prepared to evacuate if ordered to
do so. Make sure you have all necessary items that you would need in
the event that you cannot return home for several days. Make
arrangements to protect your property by moving your valuables to
higher ground... or an upper level of your home. Listen for river
level forecasts that predict flooding. Obey evacuation orders from
emergency management or local law enforcement officials.

For additional information on flash floods and severe weather in
northeastern Pennsylvania... check out the
National Weather Service Binghamton internet web site at:

Http://www.Erh.NOAA.Gov/bgm/preparedness/preparedness_main.Shtml
(all lower case)

For more information severe weather awareness week check out the
following web site...

Http://www.Erh.NOAA.Gov/ctp/safety/severeawareness/index.Php (all
lower case)

... Weather safety topics for the rest of the week...

Friday... Skywarn severe weather spotters