In Carbon County potential flooding has captured the attention of residents and officials.
The emergency management agency hopes conditions are not right for flooding.
Residents who live in the area of Lehigh Street in Palmerton know the power of nearby Aquashicola Creek. In 1987 the creek flooded, forcing 125 families from their homes.
Carbon County Emergency Management officials said they are a bit concerned. There is still snow on the ground. The rain in the forecast is expected to melt that snow and all of that will end up in area creeks and streams.
That could push the Aquashicola higher.
Tim Payonk has lived along the creek all his life. "Just watching the level. I know what to look for. There is a marker on the bridge abutment and once that water hits that mark it will be coming in the alley down below," Payonk said.
Neighbor Cindy Roberts and others are concerned too. "I do get worried when it rains. If I look out my kitchen window and can see the creek, I do start worrying because when the rain comes like that it does rise very fast," Roberts said.
"Sure I am concerned about it. I think about it, what you're saying with the snow pack and the rain we're supposed to get so who knows what's going to happen. Hopefully nothing does," said neighbor Roger Smiley.
Jeff Hausman has a different view. "They tell me they just dredged the creek a few years back and I don't think there is going to be as much of a concern," he stated.
Experts said the amount of rain we get and how fast the snow melts will determine if Aquashicola Creek becomes a problem.
The emergency management agency hopes conditions are not right for flooding.
Residents who live in the area of Lehigh Street in Palmerton know the power of nearby Aquashicola Creek. In 1987 the creek flooded, forcing 125 families from their homes.
Carbon County Emergency Management officials said they are a bit concerned. There is still snow on the ground. The rain in the forecast is expected to melt that snow and all of that will end up in area creeks and streams.
That could push the Aquashicola higher.
Tim Payonk has lived along the creek all his life. "Just watching the level. I know what to look for. There is a marker on the bridge abutment and once that water hits that mark it will be coming in the alley down below," Payonk said.
Neighbor Cindy Roberts and others are concerned too. "I do get worried when it rains. If I look out my kitchen window and can see the creek, I do start worrying because when the rain comes like that it does rise very fast," Roberts said.
"Sure I am concerned about it. I think about it, what you're saying with the snow pack and the rain we're supposed to get so who knows what's going to happen. Hopefully nothing does," said neighbor Roger Smiley.
Jeff Hausman has a different view. "They tell me they just dredged the creek a few years back and I don't think there is going to be as much of a concern," he stated.
Experts said the amount of rain we get and how fast the snow melts will determine if Aquashicola Creek becomes a problem.
