According to information released from the PA Emergency Management Agency, state emergency officials said a storm system that could bring two inches of rain or more to much of the state could cause minor to moderate flooding along creeks, streams and rivers.
\n\u201cWe are working closely with the National Weather Service and local emergency management officials to monitor this weather system and to take all necessary precautions to protect lives and property if water levels rise,\u201d said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Robert P. French in a press release.
\nThe National Weather Service says conditions will be favorable for flooding caused by melting snow combined with heavy rains, and has issued a flood watch for the region for today and tomorrow.
\nThe Huntingdon County Emergency Management Agency released information this morning reporting on the conditions of the Little Juniata River.
\nEarly this morning, at Spruce Creek, the river was reported to be at 7.27 feet with a projected maximum level of 8.1 feet. The flood state in that area is eight feet.
\nIn Huntingdon, the river was already reported to have reached 9.49 feet with a maximum projected level of 10 feet by this afternoon. The flood stage at Huntingdon is 12 feet.
\nPennDOT warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water as the water may be deeper than it looks.
\nMotorists who encounter water covered roads are encouraged to turn around and not put themselves at risk.
\nPennDOT also offers the following tips for preparing vehicles and driving in rainy conditions:
\n\u2022 If wipers are on, headlights need to be on, it\u2019s the law;
\n\u2022 Check the headlights \u2013 both low and high beams \u2013 before heading out to make sure all bulbs are working;
\n\u2022 Check wiper blades \u2013 replace them if they feel rough to the touch;
\n\u2022 Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. Turn around and go another way;
\n\u2022 Do not underestimate the destructive power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast moving flood water will float your car. Even slow moving water can sweep cars off a road or bridge;
\n\u2022 Slow down. Driving slower on wet surfaces is always a good idea;
\n\u2022 Try to stay at least two car lengths behind the car in front of you and
\n\u2022 If you are in your car and water begins to rise rapidly around you, abandon the vehicle immediately.
\nIn the event of a power failure, PennDOT would like to remind motorists that numerous traffic signals might become inoperative. The rule of the road requires motorists to react to an inoperative signal as they would a four-way-stop. That is, come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to the motorist on the right.
\nMotorists are encouraged to report maintenance concerns to PennDOT by using its toll-free Roadway Maintenance Hotline at 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623).
\nFrench added anyone who lives in an area where there is a history of flooding should watch for notification of any weather watches and warnings on their local TV or radio stations provided through the Emergency Alert System.
\nA weather watch means there is a possibility of severe weather; advance preparations should be made.
\nA weather warning means that severe weather is imminent, and your severe weather plan should be implemented.
\nFrench also provided tips to prepare for flooding. He noted people should plan and practice an evacuation route and contact the local emergency management office for a copy of its community flood evacuation plan.
\nAlso, always have disaster supplies on hand, including: flashlights and extra batteries; portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries; first aid kit and manual; emergency food and water; non-electric can opener; essential medicines\/prescriptions; cash, credit cards and important legal documents and sturdy shoes.
\nHigh water has already forced several roads in Huntingdon and Fulton Counties to be closed.
\nFor interstate closures motorists can go to www.dot.state.pa.us
\nAdditional flood safety information and weather updates can be found at www.PEMA.state.pa.us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
According to information released from the PA Emergency Management Agency, state emergency officials said a storm system that could bring two inches of rain or more to much of the state could cause minor to moderate flooding along creeks, streams and rivers. \u201cWe are working closely with the National Weather Service and local emergency management […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local-news-in-the-tyrone-pennsylvania-area","category-excerpts-from-the-tyrone-daily-herald"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1262"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1262\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tyronepa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}