Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Rain after 2 feet of snow

So we're getting about an inch of rain today with a high of 57˚, hence, lots of melting, and a flood watch:
 RAINFALL AND SNOWMELT WILL POSE AN INCREASED RISK OF FLOODING.

* FLOODING IN LOW-LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS IS LIKELY THIS
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING. MINOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE TONIGHT AND
  THURSDAY ON SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS IN THE JUNIATA BASIN AND
  LOWER MAIN STEM SUSQUEHANNA TRIBUTARIES. 

Here's what we've had in the past:
  • 8/25/11 - After Hurricane Irene brought 3 inches of rain in one day - no delay
  • 9/8/11 - Leftovers from Hurricane Lee brought 6 inches in 4 days - delay
  • 9/9/11 - Flood warning that included the phrase "life-threatening". Rivers had enough time to drain, most roads were reopened, no issues - no delay
  • 1/31/13 - Flood warning, heavy flooding - delay
I just don't see the urgency this time around that I've seen in the past.  Yes, there will be some flooding, and it will get worse tonight, but I don't see it getting bad enough for a delay.  Definitely not a closing.  WGAL says "A Flood Watch is in effect from noon today until 5 PM Thursday. Smaller rivers, streams, and creeks will reach action stage, but likely remain below flood stage. Urban flooding is also possible in low lying/poor drainage areas. If you have storm drains in your neighborhood, try to clear them of snow and ice. We are expecting .75" to 1" of rain, plus snow melt; so rivers, streams, and creeks will crest Thursday, before gradually falling at the end of the week."Also, temps won't low enough for freezing, so don't worry about that.

All in all: NO DELAYS OR EARLY DISMISSALS FOR THIS RAIN

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