Hurricane Lee Meets Up With A NW Front (09/08/11)

Hello Folks,

Excuse me for this short blog entry...

We are simply being hammered here in Lancaster County by torrential downpours accompanied by severe thunderstorms. This weather system is the slow moving remnants of Hurricane Lee from the south and another front that moved across our state (Pennsylvania) from the northwest. Simply said, "We are getting nailed!"

On top of all this, the construction site behind my home was definitely unprepared for such a large amount of rain. The entrance to the site is only three doors east of our home. The construction site sent muddy water and rocks onto the roadway last evening. Since we are lying below the site, the muddy mess moved into our yards and flooded our in-ground swimming pool. It is now a mud pit... Just Great! (Pics will be coming)

And... We lost our power last evening around 8:30 p.m. We regained it around 9:00 a.m. this morning. Thank God we didn't have any water enter our basement through our sump pump hole. I have no idea why, but we were lucky.

My wife and two sons were working their butts off all evening long keeping our home safe from flooding. They did a fantastic job. Our next door neighbors weren't as lucky.

Fred and Linda were up near Sunbury, Pa. at the campground making sure that their new trailer was on higher ground. While they were there working, they got a call from their daughter and son-in-law (Jessica and Rob) explaining that their basement, where Fred and Linda reside, was flooding!! :(

The local Willow Street fire company where Fred is an EMT came by to see if they could support them, but the water wasn't high enough at that point to pump out. However, Fred and Linda's daughter, Shanna, brought over a pump for them to use as the level rose... Sad part was that we had no electricity to run the pump!!!

AS I write this, the sun is trying to peek through the clouds. We haven't seen sunshine here i Willow Street, Pa. for several days and it is looking lovely.

Once I get my pics and videos transferred from my phone to the computer, I'll be sure to post them here on "Fishing With Dad".

The Susquehanna River is suppose to crest on Saturday in Harrisburg, Pa. at 2:00 a.m. at 29'. Keep in mind that 17' is flood stage. Hurricane Agnes in 1972 brought the river to it's highest level in recorded history at 36.57'... Check out these record highs for the Susquehanna River at the Harrisburg, Pa. site:

Historical Crests
(1) 32.57 ft on 06/24/1972
(2) 29.23 ft on 03/19/1936
(3) 26.80 ft on 06/02/1889
(4) 25.70 ft on 05/22/1894
(5) 25.08 ft on 01/20/1996

If the river does indeed reach 29' by Saturday, it will be the third highest recorded flooding in the history of all records for Harrisburg, Pa... Simply Amazing!

We've had at least two flash flood recorded deaths already here in Lancaster County since the start of this. I hope that there are no more before this is over.

Needless to say, the rivers and tributaries in the Susquehanna River Basin will be blown out for quite some time. Not bad for me since I can not fish anyway with this bum knee of mine. (I see the surgeon tomorrow at 8:20 a.m.)

Please, if you can find it in your hearts, say a prayer for all those who are struggling through this natural disaster. Our country seems to be getting it's share of disasters over the past few months. From New Jersey to Vermont, folks were experiencing similar flooding events.

No matter what comes our way, we will pulled together to support and help one another when the need arises.

Take Care and Be Safe!
Dad