“Things are looking up:” Floodwaters begin to recede at Gilberton
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A high water mark is shown via debris left behind on Fox Street on June 13, 2020.
GILBERTON – Daybreak Saturday revealed positive news in Gilberton borough: high water marks, dirt and debris left behind, were visible as the floodwaters began to recede.
“Things are looking up,” Mayor Mary Lou Hannon told the Sentinel at the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency’s mobile command center Saturday morning. “It’s getting brighter.”
She said the waters have been receding throughout the morning, and expressed thanks to volunteers who helped at the site, setting up large “super pumps” delivered to the borough yesterday.
“It’s making a dent,” Hannon said of the pumps. She said that, with the chance of rain in the next week, the borough will keep the pumps on hand.
Saturday morning’s good news was in stark contrast to the atmosphere on site overnight, as floodwaters rose through 3am.
Hannon and Gilberton Fire Marshal Barry Brassington both said water diversions at the Gilberton overpass construction site are at least partway to blame for the flooding, noting their small size backed the creek up into town.
“We opened it up a little at the construction site to let the flow come through better,” Hannon said. That, along with the pumps operating, she said, is helping the floodwaters recede.
Brassington estimated that a little over two dozen fire companies have helped at the scene, including over 50 volunteers yesterday alone.
Borough officials welcome volunteers to help, but ask that they call borough hall or Hannon directly to schedule first.
Looking ahead at clean-up, Hannon said the borough is looking into requesting assistance from local prisons, as they did in 2006.
Both Hannon and Brassington thanked all who have helped the efforts, including local fire companies, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others,
Continue to follow the Sentinel for further updates on this developing story.
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