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Schuylkill County prepares for potential flooding ahead of storm

Newswatch 16's Jack Culkin spoke with residents in Port Carbon who are going from shoveling snow to preparing for potential flooding.

PORT CARBON, Pa. — "I did get an alert on my phone that not here but other areas that they are expecting flooding, so I would imagine we are in the same situation," said Lynne Taylor, Port Carbon.

For residents in Port Carbon, it's the calm between storms.

This part of Schuylkill County was coated in roughly half a foot of snow this past weekend, and now rain is on the way.

"We just get a lot of rain at one time, and then it increases the level," said Mel Renninger, Port Carbon.

With a weekend of heavy snowfall, followed by a forecast of upcoming rain residency, they start to get worried about Mill Creek.

"I've been here over 30 years, and we've been flooded out twice," said Lynne.

Mill Creek runs just behind Lynne Taylor's home on Pike Street. 

This neighborhood is one of many throughout the borough that saw major flooding due to heavy rain back in 2018.

"It came right up into the houses and into the basements up here. Mine got totally flooded it was just about the top floor, but many of the other homes did get damaged on the first floor," explained Lynne.

The threat of flooding is why Taylor says she spent much of her evening clearing out slush from the curbside, "Obviously, I'm not gonna go down all the way to the end of the block here, but I'm just trying to get it to go a little bit farther away."

Just to be safe in case melting snow and rain forces the water out of the creek and into her home.

"I'm not too concerned right now. It is what it is. If it happens, it happens," said Lynne.

You can stay informed on river levels in your area by clicking here.

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