Emergency crews getting ready for risk of flooding after snowstorm

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — After being hit with what weather officials say was the area's most significant snowstorm in years, Lehigh Valley officials say they're ready for the risk of severe flooding likely to come after it.

National Weather Service now has designated the area as "likely" to experience flooding on rivers and creeks around the Valley.

Allentown is taking measures to make sure protections are in place this week to guard against them spilling over and causing harm.

"We’re prepping for possible snow this weekend," Allentown city spokeswoman Genesis Ortega said in an email last week.

"Based on how that turns out, we plan to transition to the next phase of the operation sometime on Sunday night or Monday morning.

"As an overview of how we will prepare:

• Pre-stage barriers at designated streets that have been identified by the Public Works department.
• Add street crews as necessary and possibly clean out storm inlets from debris.
• Fire will monitor the river for possible flooding, especially in the Adams Island area. They will also alert the camps along the river of possible flooding. They will put on extra swift water rescue crews as the needs dictate at the chief's discretion. 
• Police will assist in evacuations should the need arise as well as monitor street flooding and contact street for barriers.
• Parks will monitor the creek and park flooding potential and move any assets from flood-prone areas.  They also will be able to close down areas in the parks that are flooded and a life safety danger.
• EMA will monitor forecasts and the potential for county or state assets should the COA [City of Allentown] have an unmet need."

The "camps along the river" to which Ortega referred are unhoused population of the Lehigh Valley who live in tents near water, and recent incidents in which extreme danger has met them in harsh weather conditions.

Emergency Management

In ads on the social media platform NextDoor in the Lehigh Valley, the Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests items to put in a storm preparation kit.

It's part of an existing FEMA ad campaign called "#WinterReady," with at least two ads tailored to this weekend's storm.

NextDoor/FEMA

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NextDoor/FEMA

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said it's aware of the flood risk, and focusing on the more immediate threat of snow — though it's ready to switch gears.

"As of right now we’re focused on the upcoming snow this weekend," PEMA Communications Director Ruth Miller wrote in an email.

"That being said, we are aware that there is a threat of flooding for the Lehigh Valley next Tues/Wed and we are working with our weather and state agency partners to stay on top of it."

Lehigh County Emergency Management Director Tanya Hook said the agency was monitoring conditions, and staying in close contact with more localized partners.

"Basically, we're just maintaining situational awareness watching out for any reports or changes in the weather," Hook said

"And then we are communicating with the local emergency management coordinators, and just kind of keeping in touch with them as to what they're seeing out in municipalities over the next few days."

Hook also said there are a few areas to which the agency will pay special attention in terms of possible flooding.

"So we're always concerned about low-lying areas around the rivers, especially," she said.

"There are parts of Lower Macungie and Upper Saucon townships that often flood. We see the streams rise up pretty quickly. So we always kind of watch that, and keep an eye on that.

"Roadways that may get flooded, those types of things."

Driving in a flooded Lehigh Valley

State Transportation Department spokesman Sean Brown, who lives in Allentown, said potential flooding is very much on his radar, so to speak.

"We'll be ready for it," Brown said. "Obviously, we have to deal with the snow first, but we'll be making sure afterward to deal with any of these flooding issues — we're aware of it."

Brown said he is confident that most drivers in the Lehigh Valley will exercise good judgment, in the case that roads do become flooded.

"It does happen, and sometimes you have snow melt especially in the spring, when you have a lot of rain," he said. "I think mostly, our county folks are aware of the roads that are typical for flooding, and they know to keep an eye out on those roads."

"Turn around, don't drown," Brown said, echoing a previous statement that is used officially by the National Weather Service.