Tropical Storm Lee Dumps More Rain on the Northeast, More Than 100k Told to Leave

September 10, 2011 | Climate

The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee dumped more rain on the already saturated areas in the Northeast, shutting off several inland cities and cutting off many interstates. Orders to evacuate were issued to more than 100,000 people in three states to escape the flooding caused by rising Susquehanna River.
According to the National Weather Service, the Susquehanna River crested just over the 38 feet mark on Thursday night, which is below the top mark of the levees protecting the cities in the northeastern Pennsylvania.

The impact of Tropical Storm Lee was felt extensively in already swamped Pennsylvania, as authorities shot down innumerable roads and thoroughfares. Several emergency shelters were opened for the displaced residents. Similar situations were observed in Maryland and New York. The wrath of diminishing storm was also felt in other areas spreading from Connecticut to Virginia. State officials were calling in resources from the National Guard, neighboring fire departments and specialized flood cleanup contractors to assist with the storm devastation.

States of emergency were declared in Pennsylvania and New York early Friday by President Obama.
Officials told the evacuees that they should expect to stay at the shelters until Sunday or Monday. It is going to take sometime before authorities begin to manage the damage, which included a fractional bridge collapse in the north Pennsylvania, automobiles, homes and other buildings as well as inundated sewage processing plants.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton said, “We’re going to have some damage, but you won’t know until it’s over.”

In certain parts of Pennsylvania up to inches of total rainfall has been recorded in just over a week. People in many rural areas and small towns of central Pennsylvania scurried to move their families and their possessions out of danger as water levels sometimes rose at alarming speed.
About 6,000 to 10,000 people were evacuated from the low-lying regions of Harrisburg. In Luzerne County, Pa., including Wilkes-Barre, all communities along the surging river that witnessed flooding caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972 were ordered to evacuate.
In Wilkes-Barre, crews used sandbags to close the holes in the intricate flood control system of the city. Lee is blamed for at least four deaths in Pennsylvania.

In Binghamton, New York, waters from Susquehanna River swamped the streets. The water levels at a downtown plaza were reported to have climbed to the middle of the lampposts. Buses and after that boats were pressed into action to evacuate the stranded residents. Helicopters of National Guard were put on standby.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “It is going to get worst.” He warned residents to leave when the evacuation order is issued.