By The Daily Item
SUNBURY — A predicted 3 inches of rain today and Sunday would swell creeks and streams and cause flooding along the Susquehanna River next week.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service, State College, said Friday that the Central Susquehanna Valley could receive as many as 3 inches of rain. They issued a flood watch for the entire Central Susquehanna Valley, but projections suggest the river will hit 21.5 feet in Sunbury by Monday. Flood stage is considered 24 feet.
The West Branch in Lewisburg is expected to crest early Monday between 14 and 15 feet, which is in the caution stage and 3 feet below flood stage.
The storm hitting the region is part of a larger front that stretches across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
At risk for more serious flooding are West Virginia, western Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
Somewhat less rain and snow melt is expected over northern New England and should keep flooding to a minimum. However, a storm track farther north could yield more serious flooding problems.
Small streams will rise first during this runoff, followed by progressively larger rivers, including the Allegheny, Delaware, Lehigh, Mohawk, Monongahela, Ohio, Susquehanna and Youghiogheny.
At noon Friday, Penns Creek was just below 3.5 feet and minor flooding is expected, according to a statement from Union County Public Safety. The creek is expected to crest just below 7 feet on Sunday. This would be a foot below flood stage.
The current flooding projections are based on rainfall projections, so water levels could rise more if rainfall is heavier than expected, officials said.
