08/10/2024
Damage reports from Friday's flooding in portions of Cameron, Potter and Tioga counties are still being compiled. Here's last night's update from Glenn Dunn, 911/EMA Director in Potter County:
Emergency Operations Center was activated at 10:45 am due heavy rain, rapidly rising water, flash flooding and numerous calls for water rescues. Over 4 inches of rain fell in parts of the county due to remnants of Hurricane Debbie.
Initially, there were seven water rescues going on simultaneously in Potter County due to rapidly rising water levels involving stranded vehicles and structural water rescues.
Throughout the day at least 26 people were rescued by first responders within Potter County.
All Potter County fire, EMS, and police agencies were activated.
Four residents and one first responder were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries.
Some 44 roadways were at some point closed due to high water. Some areas reporting over four feet of water over roadways.
Several sluices and bridges washed out, leaving at least 10 roadways closed for extended period of time until repairs can be made.
Dozens of township and state roads will require some form of repairs due to high waters. Four-inch gas lines were severed in Harrison Township, numerous propane tanks washed away. A water filtration plant and sewage treatment plant were damaged in other parts of the county.
Damage assessments are ongoing. So far, at least there are reports of 50 homes receiving damage, ranging from a minor scale to homes completely washed away.
Dozens of outbuildings, vehicles, campers, propane tanks and trees also washed away ,causing major issues with sluices and bridges being clogged.
Potter County EOC and Tioga County EOC worked with PEMA, National Guard and regional task forces to activate equipment needed to assist local first responders. Governor Shapiro and PEMA approved the Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Teams from Johnstown and Fort Indiantown Gap to fly into Potter and Tioga counties, performing rooftop rescues on Friday afternoon. Upon their arrival, it was determined that the primary need at that time was in the Westfield/Knoxville areas.
Water rescue teams were also brought in from Wellsville, Allegany, Westons Mills, McKean County, Clearfield County, Clinton County, and the Pa. Fish and Boat commission.
Calls for water rescue teams from Lycoming and Bradford County could not be met as they were already performing rescues in those areas. Warren County and other water rescue teams to the south were placed on standby.
McKean County also sent several fire and EMS units to cover for Potter companies. Some of those companies were placed into service in the Ulysses, Harrison Valley and Westfield areas.
Potter County Commissioners and several townships have approved formal disaster declarations, as has the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PennDOT, Pa. State Police, township officials, DCNR, Tri-County REC, UGI, First Energy, West Penn Power also assisted during this event.
Please travel safely, as numerous washouts have occurred along roadways. Please be mindful of people's privacy as they clean up from this flooding.
We thank all the people who helped their neighbors today and those who donated food and drinks for first responders. Our communities come together in times of need and that makes us all proud.
Thanks also to the counties and agencies who reached out to help or provided teams for assistance to the residents of Potter County.
Editor's Note: This video was recorded in Harrison Valley. That region reported homes, some of them occupied, vehicles and outbuildings being lifted by the current and carried downstream.
https://www.facebook.com/100000853762396/videos/2911034185720774/
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