Easton Ready to Get Wet...Again

Easton is as ready as it can be for the flood.

The city declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon, in anticipation of the rising Delaware and Lehigh rivers, set to peak at 30.1 feet Friday at 8 a.m.

Those waters are expected to do some damage, but how much remains to be seen, said city administrator Glenn Steckman after the second of two emergency management meetings Thursday.

"There's no doubt there's going to be an impact," Steckman said.

Some of that impact was seen late Thursday evening, as the Exxon station on Third Street closed its gas pumps, and the nearby McDonalds closed altogether.

Mayor Sal Panto said some people living on Bushkill Drive had water in their first floors, something that hasn't happened since the floods of 2005-2006.

Still, with all the public works equipment out of their complex on Bushkill Street next to the also-flooded Bushkill Creek, road closure signs strategically placed for quick implementation in known problem spots, and a police, fire and first aid plan in place should the city be cut in three during the high water event, there isn't much left to do, he said.

"Now, it's more of a wait and see where the river crests sort of thing," Steckman said.

County reverse 911 calls went out to residents in low-lying sectors of the city earlier today, and voluntary evacuations were called for in problem spots along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers and along the Bushkill Creek.

"I think the people in the low-lying areas, unfortunately, pretty much know what's coming," Steckman said.

With river floods also come droves of people to watch the waters inundate the city's edge, and the current event is no exception, as people streamed in the direction of the river, particularly after work hours.

City officials have one message for those who find themselves by the water's edge either as motorists or pedestrians—don't get wet.

Easton Fire Department Chief John Bast, who also serves as the emergency management leader in the event of a disaster, said officials will have 'zero tolerance' for those who drive around barricades or into standing water, and also for those who cross the yellow police tape lines along the rivers' flooded edges.

The National Guard arrived in the city Thursday night to assist the police.

"Where it says 'no,' we mean it, and you will be cited and arrested,"he said of those who flaunt road closures and end up needing to be rescued or cross police lines.

“You shouldn't be walking in standing water either,” he added, noting that not only can less than six inches of rushing water knock an adult off their feet, but the water is contaminated with everything in its path, including petroleum from flooded basements and gas stations.

Even water that doesn't seem deep or fast-moving can be dangerous, he said, noting that manhole covers can be washed away in a flood, leaving the possibility open for someone to fall down the hole.

"In that case, we'll never even find you," he said. “We want people to stay out of the water...If something happens we not be able to get you, plus it endangers our personnel."

Residents and property owners who find their basements flooding, however, can call upon the fire department for assistance with pumping out the water, Bast said. Those who need that help can call the county non-emergency line at 610-330-2200.

"We check each one out individually," Bast said.

While the department has no set water depth requirement for the service, the firefighters won't pump out a flooded basement when the surrounding ground is flooded until the water recedes, nor do pump outs after dark, he added.

Those who are flooded can expect their utility services to be cut for safety. Some nearby neighbors also may also be affected, as the utility companies are often forced to turn off a block or section that includes more than just the flooded property, utility officials have said.

But for now, how many people will be affected and how much damage the city will sustain along the rivers' edges is still a question.

The newly installed playground equipment and lighting at Scott and Riverside parks is bolted down, and the electrical equipment is submersible and waterproof, the new equipment having been installed with the possibility of flooding kept in mind, Steckman said.

Still, it's impossible to tell what will happen until the raging chocolate-colored waters recede.

Meanwhile, many planned for this weekend have been moved, postponed or canceled, while others hope the Delaware will recede in time to carry on as planned.

"It was going to be a busy weekend in the city, and it's still going to be busy,"  Steckman said.

Announcements about the flood and situation will be posted on the city's website and updated frequently during the event, he added.

Roads that are currently CLOSED due to flooding (as of 7:30 p.m. Thursday):

• Route 611 between Durham Road in Riegelsville and South Third Street in Easton
• Route 611 under the toll bridge
• 300 block of Bushkill Street
• Bushkill Drive
• Boileau Avenue
• Sitgreaves Street, between Ferry Street and Larry Holmes Drive
• Larry Holmes Drive, from the free bridge to South Third Street
• Lehigh Drive, from South Fourth to 25th streets

Likely to be closed by the morning commute hours due to flooding, according to officials:

• North Third Street, just north of Route 22
• South Third Street, near Larry Holmes Drive
• The Free Bridge was expected to remain open, according to Phillipsburg Mayor Harry Wyant.