Gilberton flooding worsens; dozens forced from homes; pumps brought in from NJ
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Floodwaters cover Railroad Street in Gilberton on June 11, 2020.
GILBERTON – Twenty to thirty families have been forced from their homes by rising flood waters in Gilberton, fire officials said Thursday afternoon, as dozens of fire companies plus pumps from New Jersey and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources work to clear the water.
Gilberton Fire Marshal Barry Brassington told the Sentinel fire crews were first called around 6:00am for rising waters.
Brassington said the water was too much for pumps at the east end of town and pipes intended to allow the creek to flow under the overpass construction site are undersized for the amount of water flowing down the Mahanoy Creek.
“The water keeps rising, we’re trying to get it out,” Brassington said. “We have about five blocks where citizens are affected. Possibly all of them will be removed from their houses tonight if we can’t get the water under control.”
Brassington said power has been removed from some residences, and residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, while about a dozen of fire companies from across Schuylkill County, plus DCNR, local coal companies, and other pumps are at work.
Around 8:00am, flood waters primarily covered Railroad Street, a few yards, and a block of Coal Street in water two feet deep at its deepest.
A few hours later, and the flood waters had crossed and covered Main Street.
As of 6:00pm, much of the south side of Gilberton section of the borough was under at least two feet of water, if not more, with above-ground pools, fences, and porches covered.
Local businesses, such as Anthony’s in Frackville, also stopped by to help feed volunteers on site.
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