Water, water everywhere – Day 2

Good morning! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and yep – the water’s still here. The Sewer Treatment Plant shut down last night, so we’re being told to conserve water. I imagine we’re going to see a boil advisory soon, but I’ve been doing that anyway.

I would like to point out that our area is populated with a lot of idiots. Example? People who decide to stay put despite knowing the very spot they live in flooded up to the eaves during the April ‘05 flood.

First, if you’re crazy enough to live next to a river, you need to understand that your home will flood and might wash down the river, so get the hell out!

Another example? Employers who do not realize that in a declared state of emergency, only emergency vehicles and those leaving evacuation areas or returning from work are allowed on the roads. Despite Tioga County’s “state of emergency” declaration most businesses still had their employees report to work.

From the Gannett News Service:

Tioga County, N.Y., banned all unnecessary travel and threatened to ticket anyone who violated the order. BC Transit, BC Lift and BC country bus routes didn’t operate Wednesday. Some buses were used for evacuations.

The same state of emergency was declared in Bradford County, so stay the heck off the roads!
At the same time, we have a lot of heroes, and I hope they’re not forgotten when all this is over. I’m talking about the volunteer fire companies, ambulance companies, the Red Cross volunteers, the animal rescue teams, and those who’ve volunteered time and/or materials just to help out their friends and neighbors in the Valley.

They’ve been working non-stop since Tuesday afternoon. Sandbagging, water rescues, feeding and sheltering the evacuees, working out response plans with their mutual aid companies to provide services once they were cut off by rising water. The animal rescue team has rescued about 300 pets, and is providing shelter for them at various locations

Also, huge rounds of applause go to the businesses helping out. Several restaurants are providing meals for the emergency shelter. Businesses like Walmart and Kmart have been working like crazy to get supplies in, not just for the evac. center, but for those like me who are unaffected by water, but have relatives seeking refuge.

There was some sort-a good news: The supposed crest of 33 feet was a goof of some kind, and our area saw a crest of 23.4 feet early this morning. The river is cresting in Towanda at 21 feet currently.

We also got some sad (but not unexpected) news: The 4th of July celebration, normally at the Sayre Little League park has been cancelled. You can see why:

That yellow line you see in the picture is the top of the fences at the Little League field.

The National Weather Service is calling for rain off and on for the next 10 days, and the river isn’t expected to drop below flood stage (11 feet in Sayre) anytime before Sunday or Monday.

You can read more at: The Star-Gazette (Elmira NY), The Daily Review (Towanda PA), and WICZ-TV (Binghamton NY).