Lamont McClure and Emergency Management Services (EMS) are monitoring conditions following Tropical Storm Ida which passed through the region last night. Ida created flooding conditions resulting in multiple water rescues, road closures, trees/wires down and power outages throughout Northampton County. EMS will continue to monitor water levels in the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers; some areas are expected to reach Action Stage or Minor Flood stage later today.

Lehigh River

The river crested at 13.19 ft in Walnutport and at 19.3 ft in Bethlehem, reaching Minor Flood Stage. The Lehigh River crested at 24.17 ft in Glendon at Major Flood Stage. The waters should continue to fall during the day.

Delaware River

In Belvidere, the river is at 14.11 ft and is forecasted to reach Action Stage (19.5 ft) on Thursday around 7 pm. Easton is currently at Minor Flood Stage (22.06 ft) and forecasted to crest at 28.5 ft around 7 pm on Thursday. (Major flood stage is 30 ft).

Voluntary evacuations were carried out in Walnutport and Northampton. EMS has no unmet needs at this time, is shifting over to recovery mode and will be assisting municipalities with Damage Assessment.

“I want to thank all our first responders for their hard work last night,” says Lamont McClure. “EMS will continue to monitor conditions and update the public as needed. Residents who’ve lost power should call their utility company for estimates on when service will be restored.”

EMS reminds motorists not to drive through flooded roadways and to keep children and pets away from flood water. Avoid downed power lines. Assume any downed wire to be ‘live’ and report it to local police or the 911 department. Do not drive around barricades or through standing water. Six inches of water can cause a car to stall and a foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most automobiles including sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/

 

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