Tamaqua river crests at nearly 5.5 feet

The Little Schuylkill River in Tamaqua rose higher on Monday than during heavy rains of July, appearing to crest at nearly 5.5 feet.

According to a Tamaqua river gauge operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, the waterway rose 3 feet in 24 hours, reaching 5.44 feet by 3:15 p.m. Monday.

After heavy rains subsided, the river’s depth at Tamaqua appeared to level off, measuring 5.43 feet at 4:15 p.m.

Those measurements are nearly one-half foot higher than what was recorded in late July, when rainstorms swelled the river to 5 feet.

While the river appears to have crested for now, additional rain could cause it to rise quickly due to runoff from saturated ground.

Nearly 4 inches of rain has fallen in the Tamaqua area since Saturday, according to the USGS.

The provisional water level measurements are taken at one-hour intervals by a USGS water-stage recorder station, or climatological sensor, positioned one-half mile north of the community.

The station is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, and the USGS.

High water levels also were observed at the Panther and Wabash creeks.

While the community appeared to have escaped serious flooding, major damage was reported in other areas of Schuylkill County.

Fourteen miles south of Tamaqua, heavy flooding took place in Port Carbon, where dozens of residents were displaced.

Parts of Schuylkill County, still cleaning up from flooding caused by torrential rains a few weeks ago, were hit with yet another deluge.

Tremont and Pine Grove were again under water.

The City of Pottsville has declared a state of emergency, with all travel restricted until further notice.

The county courthouse was closed Monday and reopened at noon today.

People in parts of St. Clair and Port Carbon were evacuated.

Schuylkill Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator John W. Blickley said that as of 9 a.m. Monday, Frackville, Gilberton, Tower City, St. Clair, Frailey Township, Porter Township and surrounding areas were also flooded.

“Currently residents in low-lying areas are being evacuated and are being relocated to temporary shelters,” he said Monday.

“Pine Grove has opened its shelter at the Pine Grove High School with assistance from the American Red Cross.”

Shelters were also opened at Saint Stephen’s Church Port Carbon, Frackville Borough building and Tremont fire company.

Secondary roads in flood-prone areas were affected and Route 61 was closed at several locations, including Cressona, Pottsville and Frackville.

One man posted a video of the Schuylkill Haven dive team using motorized rafts to navigate the streets of Port Carbon.

A woman posted a video of a partially submerged car floating down the street in Tremont.

As of press time nearly a dozen roads remained closed in Schuylkill County.

Some Tamaqua area residents and businesses provided relief assistance late Monday.

DiMaggio’s La Dolce Casa Restaurant sent hot and cold foods to first responders and residents of Port Carbon, deploying an SUV driven by Justin Startzel.

In addition, Hiram Quintana of Lion’s Den Catering organized a “food bomb,” preparing and delivering 100 to 150 freshly cooked meals to volunteer first responders in the same affected area.