Huntingdon Dodges "Catastrophic" Flooding
By: Lynn Adler
Updated: January 29, 2013
SHIRLEY TOWNSHIP, HUNTINGDON COUNTY - In Huntingdon County, some of the hardest hit areas were in the southern part of the county along the Aughwick Creek area.
As flood waters continue to rise, hundreds of sandbags are being shipped out.
But the bags won't be used in Huntingdon County since the area dodged a bullet and received far less rain than previously predicted.
"It would have been a catastrophic flood for some communities in this county that's for certain if we would have received all that we could have," says Huntingdon County Emergency Management Director, Adam Miller.
The sandbags will instead be sent to help out neighboring Mifflin and Sullivan Counties.
Although Miller says that's not to say when it comes to flooding Huntingdon is out of the water quite yet.
"The water is rising and it's going to get higher and folks shouldn't quite let their guard down just yet," Miller says.
The flooding has gotten so bad in parts near Aughwick Creek some homeowners woke up Wednesday morning to find their front lawns looking more like beachfront property.
Many roads in Huntingdon are shut down due to standing water and with more rain expected, officials say residents should stay vigilant because the flooding is far from over.
"We're expecting waterways to rise again into the overnight period into tomorrow morning." Miller says. Adding, "We've had areas of this county that have had received throughout the course of rain for this week over 10 inches. That is just amazing. So we've certainly had our share and we're hopeful we don't get much more."
When it comes to flooding in Huntingdon, Miller says there's no such thing as being too prepared.
"Mother Nature is a strange animal and someone I wouldn't' want to play a game of chess with."
The Aughwick is expected to crest sometime early Thursday morning at more than 14.5 inches.
