Flood projections lowered for Susquehanna River and other waterways

A break from the rain has allowed flood waters to recede and decreased projections for peak crests at central Pennsylvania’s waterways.

Altogether, the hardest hit areas were in southwest Schuylkill, south Northumberland and northeast Dauphin counties. The National Weather Service reports that nearly 16 inches of rain fell on Pine Grove over the past several days, followed by 14.75 inches in East Hamover and 16.64 inches southwest of Grantville. Other rainfall totals include just over 12 inches in Lebanon, Selinsgrove had almost 12 inches, Harrisburg just over 9 inches, Carlisle got 8.5 inches, the York area about 8 inches, Hanover and Lancaster about 7, and Stage College about 5.

Scattered storms are possible Friday, but the weekend forecast is clear.

The National Weather Service is predicting the Susquehanna River will crest around 18 feet in the Harrisburg area, which is about 2 feet less than previously expected. Still, first responders are preparing for possible evacuations should the weather pattern change.

Swatara Creek set a record for second-highest crest near Hershey with water levels reaching 17.08 feet. The only time water has been recorded higher at that location was during Tropical Storm Lee in September 2011. Flooding has gone down since yesterday.

Because of the shifting conditions, the American Red Cross has closed its temporary shelter at Hershey High School but will continue to support residents affected by flooding.

Here is a quick look at the forcast for some waterways in the region:

Aughwick Creek at Shirleysburg: Peak crest of 10.53 feet (minor flooding for this stretch of the waterway) recorded at 10:15pm Monday and again at 3:15am today, with levels expected to recede below flood stage this afternoon.

Conodoguinet Creek near Hogestown: Peak crest of 10.1 feet (moderate flooding) recorded at 9:46am today, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Sunday.

Penns Creek near Penns Creek: Peak crest of 9.35 feet (minor flooding) recorded at 9:15am today, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Saturday.

Susquehanna River at Harrisburg: Peak crest of 17.9 feet (minor flooding) is expected around 2am tonight, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Sunday.

Susquehanna River at Marietta: Peak crest of 51.7 feet (minor flooding) is expected around 8pm tonight, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Friday.

Susquehanna River at Sunbury: Peak crest of 23 feet (minor flooding) is expected around 2am tonight, with levels expected to recede below flood stage Sunday or later.

Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern: Peak crest of 17.15 feet (major flooding) recorded at 1pm Wednesday, with levels expected to recede below flood stage  on Saturday

Swatara Creek near Hershey: Peak crest of 17.08 feet (major flooding) recorded at 12:30am today, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Saturday.

Swatara Creek at Middletown: Peak crest of 16.3 feet (moderate flooding) expected around 8pm tonight, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Sunday.

West Branch Susquehanna at Lewisburg: Peak crest of 17.59 feet (moderate flooding) recorded at 8:15pm Wednesday, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Friday.

Yellow Breeches Creek near Camp Hill: Peak crest of 8.42 feet (minor flooding) recorded at 2:16pm today, with levels expected to recede below flood stage on Friday.

For the latest flooding forecasts, visit the National Weather Service’s River Forecast Center.

See live traffic conditions and travel delays on 511pa.com.