Roads remain closed in Frackville, Gilberton; Flood cleanup continues

By Kaylee Lindenmuth

FRACKVILLE / GILBERTON – Roads remain closed in Frackville and Gilberton as of Wednesday morning, as flood cleanup continues in both communities.

Two roadways in Frackville were damaged by the floodwaters, while waters are still stubborn to recede in Gilberton.

Frackville

Closed to traffic Wednesday afternoon was West Laurel Street from 2nd to Nice Streets, after portions of asphalt came up, and a portion of the north side of the roadway collapsed into the Little Mahanoy.

In the Englewood section, a portion of Walnick Drive from Wall Street to Wood Lane, known locally as “dead man’s curve”, though not to be confused with PA Route 61, collapsed into the Little Mahanoy, leaving a guiderail suspended over the ridge, with drainage piping exposed.

Frackville borough workers were in the area of the Elks Lodge, cleaning streets which, earlier in the week, doubled as an extension of the Little Mahanoy.

Gilberton

Main Street remained closed through Gilberton Wednesday morning, as flood waters remained slow to recede.

Fire apparatus from Gilberton and the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society, as well as pumps owned and rented by the borough of Gilberton, continued efforts to pump water from Railroad Street over the Reading and Northern Railroad, into the Mahanoy Creek.

Backyards along Long Row Road also were submerged.

Despite the flooding, local traffic made its way in and around the village via Growler Street.
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At the scene Wednesday was a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services van, serving meals for volunteers and residents in Gilberton.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

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