Northeast PA Update
As of 7:30 am, Luzerne County EMA reported a river level of 32.5 feet. The river level was reported to be falling about a half a foot an hour. The county engineers and Army Corps of Engineers have done an amazing job dealing with the issues that arose due to the river cresting at an estimated 42.6 feet, which is ~ 1 1/2 feet above what the levee system is designed to deal with. The system was taxed to its limits and beyond. It has been a tense couple of days, with periods of hope and cautious optimism mixed with periods of extreme fear. It looks like the county may start letting those of us who were evacuated back into our homes sometime this evening. I am relieved that it seems that those of us in the levee-protected areas will be okay, but my heart breaks for the many communities that are just devastated. This has been an historic event - record river crests in Wilkes-Barre and down in Bloomsburg, and widespread flooding up and down the Susquehanna. Please keep our region in your thoughts as the long process of recovery begins.
On a personal note: I am safe and well in a hotel about half an hour outside of town. Nicholas was very uneasy when we first arrived (cats really don't like change), but has been doing better and better (and hiding under the bed less and less) as time goes by. I don't know to what extent we lost power or gas in my area, so I may have to clean out my refrigerator. I definitely have to move all my electronics back down from the second floor of my place (along with some furniture and other stuff). But if that really is the extent of things, I can count myself fortunate. More later.
On a personal note: I am safe and well in a hotel about half an hour outside of town. Nicholas was very uneasy when we first arrived (cats really don't like change), but has been doing better and better (and hiding under the bed less and less) as time goes by. I don't know to what extent we lost power or gas in my area, so I may have to clean out my refrigerator. I definitely have to move all my electronics back down from the second floor of my place (along with some furniture and other stuff). But if that really is the extent of things, I can count myself fortunate. More later.