York County flooding: Susquehanna River levels rising, more rain tomorrow
Candy Woodall, York Daily Record
July 26, 2018
(Photo: Seven Valleys Mayor Doug Wagner)
The rain ended overnight, but the threat is not gone.
Susquehanna River levels are at minor flood stage this morning, and by Friday morning they will reach moderate flooding in Harrisburg, Marietta and Wrightsville, according to the National Weather Service in State College. Locally, in Wrightsville, the river is expected to reach 52 feet early tomorrow.
While Thursday is expected to be dry, at least in terms of no rain, storms are expected to return tomorrow afternoon.
That weather news comes after communities across York County are still cleaning up after some residents said their streets looked like rivers.
Roads were closed throughout York County, including in Spring Grove, where a first responder decided to have a little fun with the flooding, donning a pool float and snorkeling gear.
Community Fire Co. in Seven Valleys had to do some flood management at their own station, where high water flowed along Main Street. Videos and posts on the fire company's Facebook page shows some of the damage. They were still cleaning up the engine room at about 2 a.m. Thursday.
Springvale Road in Red Lion was "like a river" at 7 p.m., one resident said.
A sinkhole has also opened right alongside Route 30 near Biesecker Road in Thomasville, Jackson Township. The hole, about 10 to 15 feet deep, has not damaged the road, but cars are being diverted around it, and Columbia Gas is monitoring a nearby gas line running under the road.
Flooding could continue Thursday and Friday because of how much rain fell since Saturday.
"York had 6 to 12 inches. It sounds like a snow forecast," said Matt Steinbugl, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
The central part of the county was hit hardest and had the most rain, he said.
"This is pretty unusual," Steinbugl said of the week of heavy rain.
Central Pennsylvania has essentially received tropical rain without a tropical storm. A heavy moisture system has parked over the Susquehanna Valley, delivering six days of heavy rain.
Thursday will be a dry, sunny reprieve, but storms are expected to return Friday afternoon.
The weekend will be dry and give the water a chance to recede, but then rain is expected again Monday and for several days.
"York could be back in the same position next week," Steinbugl said.