Pennsylvania flooding: Floodwaters high but not at Agnes levels

Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

38.9′ the crest of the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. early Friday morning
40.9′ the crest of waters in Wilkes-Barre caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the all-time record
41′ the level of flooding the levee in the region can stand; not all regions are levee-protected source

» Toxic waste dangers: The flooding has one particularly disturbing side effect — it reportedly washed out 10 sewage processing plants, leading Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett to warn of messing with the floodwaters. Flood warnings are currently in effect for Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, with other nearby regions, such as Virginia and DC, still in danger of flooding.

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

10 May 2011 10:01

» The good news? It’s not a record: But, considering it’s within a foot of the record, that’s of little solace to the people whose homes have been damaged by the flooding. Still, if something happens and it gets worse, the city is ready. “We will be prepared even if it goes beyond [48 feet],” said Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. “We have acted all along as if it were right at 49 or 50 feet.” One last note: Major landmarks like Sun Studio, Beale Street and Graceland are safe.

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

I just want a new life and relocation. I would like the elected officials to come down here to see this with their own eyes and see what we’re going through.
Memphis resident Cedric Blue • Expressing anger over his current plight — as a victim of the near-record flooding that is currently engulfing Memphis. (A note on that: We previously reported that the flood had hit record levels; this was based on information provided by an incorrect Christian Science Monitor report.) The river is expected to crest today, hours earlier than expected, but the city says it’s ready for the flloding — which is not expected to top that of the region’s record 1937 flood, with which it shares many similarities. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

46′ the current levels of the Mississippi river in Memphis; some areas are already underwater
48.7′ the prior record levels of the river in the area — set during a historic flood way back in 1937
48′ the expected crest of the river in the area, which officials expect on Wednesday source

» A little bit of good news: While the floodwaters are extremely high, authorities say there will be no new rain until Tuesday, giving residents an opportunity to deal with the water already there, as well as to consider evacuation plans. (EDIT: A prior version of this story listed a 1927 flood as the record-setter. While the flood was devastating, it was not the worst. We apologize for the error.)

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

We’re making a lot of unfortunate history here in Mississippi in April and May.
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Jeff Rent • Putting a pretty unfortunate period on the end of the sentence that is the Mississippi River’s flooding — along with last week’s tornadoes. All along the Misssissippi River, floodwaters are reaching record levels, putting some in precarious situations — or forcing some necessary but undesirable decisions, like blowing holes in levees that flood crops but save towns. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink