- Times Leader
First Posted:
An ice jam in the Susquehanna River in Wyoming County broke free late Thursday afternoon and headed downstream toward the Wyoming Valley, creating the potential for flooding if the chunks get hung up under several bridges at the same time that a snowstorm further impacts the area.
While area residents deal with a snowstorm today that could drop 3 to 5 inches in the area, the National Weather Service in Binghamton, New York, said the ice jam could cause sudden flooding problems near the townships of Northmoreland, Exeter, Newton and Ransom, as well as in areas of Luzerne County under certain circumstances.
“Flooding is not certain, but ice jams are very unpredictable and residents are urged to avoid these areas near the Susquehanna River,” the NWS said in a statement issued at 3:59 p.m. Thursday.
The Wyoming County Emergency Management Agency reported that the jam affecting Eaton, Tunkhannock and Falls townships broke free at 3:49 p.m. and was headed south.
A flood warning expired at 7:15 p.m. Thursday for central Wyoming, northeastern Luzerne and extreme west central Lackawanna counties, but isolated ice jam flooding remains possible due to river rises from snowmelt and fluctuating temperatures, the NWS said.
The river at Wilkes-Barre was well below flood stage Thursday afternoon. At 3:45 p.m., it was at 8.22 feet after cresting at 12.87 feet nearly 24 hours earlier, according to the NWS. The river was expected to drop 4.9 feet by 8 a.m. Sunday. Minor flooding begins at 22 feet in low-lying areas of Plainsville, Plymouth Flats, West Nanticoke and Shickshinny.
Earlier Thursday, Gene Dziak, director of the Wyoming Couty EMA, worried that the ice was not moving.
“It’s not going anywhere yet. It’s just there,” he said. Falling temperatures overnight contributed to the jam staying put.
“We’re evaluating right now if were going to keep this in play. My thinking is that we probably will,” he said.
But the jam broke free at the state Route 29 bridge over the river between Eaton Township and Tunkhannock.
The ice flow created the potential for other jams at bridges downstream.
The NWS warned that “ice jam flooding can occur suddenly and advance into an area from an unusual direction. If you see water approaching, move away from the river to higher ground.”
While residents living near the river keep an eye out for flooding, they and everyone else in the area will have to deal with a significant amount of snowfall as well.
The National Weather Service on Thursday issued a winter weather advisory for Luzerne and Lackawanna counties for today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. According to the advisory, snow will spread across the area during the early morning hours and continue through late this afternoon.
About 3 to 5 inches of snow are possible, with up to 6 inches possible in the higher elevations of southern Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties.
There’s a chance of snow possible after 5 a.m. today, with a 90-percent chance of snow after 7 a.m., with up to 3 inches of snow predicted. Today’s high will be near 34 degrees.
Snow showers will likely continue before 7 p.m. tonight, with less than an additional half inch of snowfall expected, and an overnight low around 27 degrees.
Times Leader reporter Travis Kellar contributed to this report.
