Sentinel photo by JULIANNE KILMER
Brown Township workers dislodge debris collecting under a bridge to prevent water from backing up onto the road in Lumber City due to steady rain from Tropical Storm Ida.
LEWISTOWN — The Juniata River is expected to crest above flood stage Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service and the Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center.
Mifflin County was projected to receive between 4 and 5 total inches of rain from Tropical Depression Ida on Wednesday, which was expected to cause flooding of many area creeks and streams and cause flooding in some low-lying residential areas, Mifflin County Emergency Services Director Phil Lucas said.
Mifflin County is expected to possibly receive an additional 2 1/2 to 3 inches before morning. This additional rain will cause small streams and tributaries to reach their banks and flood adjacent areas and areas with poor drainage.
The Juniata River at Lewistown is now expected to reach its highest point between 8 and 9 a.m. today at about 27.5 feet. The flood stage for that area is 23 feet. The moderate flood stage is 27 feet and the major flood stage is 28 feet.
Lucas said the actual crest may be lower as the US Army Corps of Engineers at Raystown have proactively closed the discharge gates at the Raystown Dam.
“It is expected that the discharge gates will remain closed until (sometime) Friday but that is dependent on the amount of water received from areas upstream of the reservoir,” Lucas said. “Residents along the Juniata River should expect a prolonged period of discharge from the reservoir once the storm affects pass and the reservoir returns to normal operation.”
Lucas said areas of Lewistown that can expect to see at least some flooding include Hale, South Main, South Juniata and South Grand streets. Other roadways and recreational areas along the Juniata River are expected to flood well before the river crests, Lucas said. He expected more accurate river stage information to become available early Thursday.
“The expectation is that the crest will be below the action stage but that is completely dependent on the upstream rainfall and runoff,” he said. “Residents should still be prepared for a higher river crest until those updates are released.”
The forecast prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning for low-lying areas along the entire length of the Juniata River, which runs through Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry and Dauphin counties.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Juniata River stage was 8.9 feet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. NOAA predicted that flood stage will be reached very early today before falling this afternoon.
The projected crest as a result of Ida compares to February 1984, when the river crested at 27.4 feet. When the river reaches flood stage, basements of a few homes in the lowest lying areas will flood. Backwater on Kishacoquillas Creek will affect athletic fields. At 25 feet, basement flooding occurs in the low lying areas adjacent to the river and Kishacoquillas creek. Athletic fields will be inundated, NOAA said.
When the water level reaches 27 feet, several homes on West Elizabeth Street will flood. Route 22 also is affected. If the river reaches 28 feet, NOAA said, considerable flood damage occurs to homes and businesses in and around Lewistown.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway. Also, the roadbed may not be intact under the water.
In response to heavy rains resulting from the remnants Hurricane Ida, PennDOT has reduced speeds to 55 miles per hour on Interstate 80 between Interstate 99 and the New Jersey border and Interstate 81 between Route 39 and Interstate 80. Additional speed restrictions on other roadways may be implemented as the storm progresses.
Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website at www.511PA.com and smartphone apps.
Motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel if possible but anyone planning to travel should closely monitor weather conditions along travel routes.
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Lucas: Juniata to crest above flood stage today - Lewistown Sentinel
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