HOLLIDAYSBURG, BLAIR COUNTY - Jeff Horne has lived right by the Juniata River his entire life.
"Once a river rat, always a river rat," said Horne, who recalls previous severe weather causing major flooding near the Juniata River, and others like it in Central Pennsylvania.
"The last flood we had was in November," he said. "It was flowing through here like a river, I wasn't able to make it from this deck to my shed."
He's staying put with his 21-year old son at his home, even as the effects of Hurricane Sandy creep closer.
Back in 1996, Horne took advantage of a FEMA program and had his home elevated to help ease most of his flooding worries.
He says he's confident in his safety, but worries about others who may be sightseeing during the storm.
"People will come out to see it, thinking it's cool to check out the water," he said. "The next thing you know they're a victim of the flood because curiosity got the best of them."
He says he's experienced in dealing with flooding near the Juniata River, but memories of past floods remain in the back of his mind.
"Growing up as a child I remember Hurricane Agnes in 1972," he said. "I remember being carried out of my grandparents house in a backhoe bucket because of the flooding."
Despite the potential for flooding and damage from Hurricane Sandy, he's not going anywhere.
"Let me reassure you, I'll sit on the roof, I'll straddle the roof until it floats away."
If you're concerned about the possibility of flooding or if you're just curious about the water levels of rivers around Central Pennsylvania, check out our river levels tool.
"Once a river rat, always a river rat," said Horne, who recalls previous severe weather causing major flooding near the Juniata River, and others like it in Central Pennsylvania.
"The last flood we had was in November," he said. "It was flowing through here like a river, I wasn't able to make it from this deck to my shed."
He's staying put with his 21-year old son at his home, even as the effects of Hurricane Sandy creep closer.
Back in 1996, Horne took advantage of a FEMA program and had his home elevated to help ease most of his flooding worries.
He says he's confident in his safety, but worries about others who may be sightseeing during the storm.
"People will come out to see it, thinking it's cool to check out the water," he said. "The next thing you know they're a victim of the flood because curiosity got the best of them."
He says he's experienced in dealing with flooding near the Juniata River, but memories of past floods remain in the back of his mind.
"Growing up as a child I remember Hurricane Agnes in 1972," he said. "I remember being carried out of my grandparents house in a backhoe bucket because of the flooding."
Despite the potential for flooding and damage from Hurricane Sandy, he's not going anywhere.
"Let me reassure you, I'll sit on the roof, I'll straddle the roof until it floats away."
If you're concerned about the possibility of flooding or if you're just curious about the water levels of rivers around Central Pennsylvania, check out our river levels tool.
