Pocono News Section

Heavy Rain Leaves Big Mess in Wyoming Co.

Heavy Rain Leaves Big Mess in Wyoming Co. - Friday, July 31, 2009 at 11:15PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 @ 11:15pm EST
EATONVILLE, WYOMING COUNTY- The heavy rain caused plenty of problems in Wyoming County. Creeks and streams spilled their banks closing roads and creating a muddy mess.

The steady trickle of raindrops quickly turned into a roar as over loaded creeks, ponds and streams in Eatonville became overwhelmed with water.

Emergency officials concerned about the level of Thurston Hollow Pond - called for the evacuation of residents on Keelersburg Road downstream.

Resident Robert Rucinski said, ÒHe said there may be a 40 foot wall of water coming down and it could take out a bridge and we could be stranded where were at if we didn't leave.Ó

The concern was well founded - by late afternoon - a beaver dam at the pond gave way. ÒAll of a sudden you heard rushing water. It happened all at once but the worst is over. We're pretty happy about that and nobody got injured so far,Ó said Jim Greenley.

With homes nearby sandbagged and secure residents were allowed back in. But Keelersburg Road is closed to non-residents because of other water related problems.

Keelersburg Road now features many sections like this one, either washed out with water or covered with dirt from a mudslide. And that's why PennDOT officials say it will be several more hours before this road opens.

ÒDown the road maybe a quarter mile or so we have 3 or 4 areas where we had some significant embankment material wash down across the road,Ó said Maunel Menedez.

PennDOT expects the clean-up work to continue through the overnight hours. They expect to re-open Keelersburg Road sometime Saturday morning.