Flooding impacts Frackville
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - A vehicle sits stranded in floodwaters in the parking lot of Dutch Kitchen in Frackville on July 25, 2018.
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
FRACKVILLE – Heavy rains Wednesday afternoon caused the Little Mahanoy Creek to overflow its banks, flooding roadways and basements, and stranding cars in Frackville.
Fire crews were dispatched after 7:00pm for two incidents, reports of a weather-related emergency at 333 West Arch and a water rescue at Dutch Kitchen.
At both locations, the Little Mahanoy overflowed its banks. At Dutch Kitchen, water covered Route 61 and much of the parking lots for Dutch Kitchen, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and the Rite Aid plaza. Subway employees reported flooding in their store.
Fire crews from Frackville, Englewood, and Altamont responded to the Dutch Kitchen area, where it was reported drivers of a tractor trailer and several passenger cars were stranded. Mahanoy City’s dive team was added shortly after.
By our arrival, all had been rescued, and the Mahanoy City dive team was clear.
At Arch Street, the creek flowed onto the roadway, creating a river flowing from the woods at the terminus of Willow Street past the Elks building.
Mike and Deanna Sieg, residents of a double block home at Center and Arch, had their basement and front yard flooded, and had to climb over a railing separating the two porches to enter and leave the home.
Farther down Arch, the water flowed along the width of the roadway, encroaching on yards and driveways.
Portions of Arch, Lehigh, and Mahanoy Streets, among others, were closed as a result of the flooding.
According to Frackville EMA Coordinator Stephen Barrett, their first priority is to “make sure that nobody is going to be stuck in their house,” then to keep flooded areas restricted, then assess the damage when it all recedes.
Flooding and related damage has also been reported near Sheppton, Nuremberg, Gordon, and other areas.
A reminder from the Pennsylvania State Police Troop L, circumventing barricades could result in fines of up to $200.
A full photo gallery and video from Frackville’s flooding on Thursday will be posted soon.
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