Flood in Harrisburg: The Aftermath | Photographer Harrisburg, PA

Yesterday I posted some pictures from the day's flooding HERE- anything from preparation to the beginning crest all the way to full-blown flooding.

Today I thought a lot about what someone would remember about the day, then I decided NOT to take pictures of that, instead focusing on things people might forget.  What I found was interesting.  Take a look.

No surprise 322 is still closed.  The problem is multifaceted however.  One, some businesses opened up today; two, it is Friday (traffic is always worse on Friday); three, it is a Penn State home football game weekend.  BIG traffic problem.

For those that aren't from around Harrisburg, 322 is the direct route (and best road) to and from State College, PA.  It is a 4 lane highway, thus carrying a lot of cars.  Well, all of those cars have to travel on a little 2 lane road (the old school way) all the way to State College.  That makes for a LONG ride.

Here are two shots of Interstate 81 southbound at 5:45 pm.

81S at 322

81S at Progress Ave (exit 69)

Normally, the traffic is usually bad on 322 on Fridays because of home games, however this home game is a little different than most.  PSU plays Bama.  (#3 v. #23) Yep, you read it right, an SEC team is coming all the way up here.  I am a true SEC UT Vols fan (bleeding orange) but I will proudly be wearing my blue and white tomorrow! :)  With this being such a big game (sold out- 108K people) that traffic was even worse than normal.

This line of traffic went on for at least 10-15 miles farther north on 81.

I also took some shots similar to yesterday, for comparison.

SouthEast Train Corridor of Harrisburg, near Shipoke

It should also be mentioned that the waters are receding from Shipoke today.  What a blessing.

Shipoke's water is receding. View from 83S bridge.

Thanks for viewing the post!

Be Blessed.

Flooding in Harrisburg | Photographer Harrisburg, PA

So it wasn't too long ago that I was posting THIS post about flooding in Harrisburg, and here we are again, only substantially worse.

Here are a few shots I took today as I quickly ran errands.  I thought long and hard about whether or not to post these and I finally came to this decision:  I am sharing these with you not for shock value, but because I want to reach as many people as possible and urge everyone that views these images to pray for Harrisburg, its residents, and leaders, pray also for the greater Central Pennsylvania area, as it has been hit with 14-16 inches of rain (depending on the town) in the past 3 days.

These images were taken around 4:30-5:00 pm today, flood stage: 24 feet.

The raging waters of the Susquehanna are slated to reach 29.5 feet on Saturday morning (28.5 feet on certain news stations).  This is the worst flooding since 1972- Hurricane Agnes, which was 32 feet.  Many residents of Harrisburg will not have flood insurance (yes, those on Front St. and Shipoke probably do, but it will flood many other areas that will not).

I was unable to post any pictures of the Hershey & Hummelstown areas, but I do not want to leave it unsaid.  These areas were hit VERY hard Wednesday, Wednesday night and Thursday morning, as many of the creeks, such as the Swatara Creek, reached at least 10-15 feet above their flood stage (typically 8-10 feet).  Many of my friends and colleagues have been affected by the massive amount of rain and river water flowing through our area right now.

Please pray that God wraps his arms around the city and protects both the homes, people, as well as infrastructure.  Please also pray that he wraps his around around and comforts those that are suffering, financially or emotionally.

Governor's Mansion doors sandbagged

Market Street Bridge

Flooding on Front St @ Linglestown Rd. 4:30 pm

Train stopped on Rockville Bridge

Please be safe!

The river is deceiving.  This tree slammed into the pedestrian bridge and snapped like a twig.

Same shot of City Island Bathhouse from the March 2011 flood.  Water is much higher this time.

Front St. @ Division St.  low-lying areas cresting first.

Linglestown Rd & 6th St. 4:30 pm  United Water is just off to the left.

SouthEast Harrisburg Train Corridor.  Shipoke is just left of the picture.

Swirling water in the Alex & Louise Grass United Jewish Community Center parking lot is never a good sign!

Front St. Welcome to Susquehanna Township.

Thanks for visiting and viewing my images.

Be Blessed.

Flooding in Harrisburg

***If you are looking for images from the September 8, 2011 flooding in Harrisburg, please go to THIS LINK.  Thanks!***

This week the weather has been CRAZY in Harrisburg!  It rained for over 24 hours a couple days ago, so many people were worried that the Susquehanna River was going to overflow its banks.  Saturday was high crest day, so I drove down to the River Walk and Fort Hunter (two of my favorite places!) to catch some high water shots!  You may remember Fort Hunter from Ethan's Fall Session. 

I will create another post of "after" shots, showing just how high it was after the water goes down! Check back in a couple days.

I am thankful that the water didn't damage any more homes and buildings than it did.  The folks living along the river (a beautiful place to have a house by the way!) were very blessed to not have all this water in their basements!

Enjoy (if that is what you could call this...).

Bath House on City Island

Painted Cow (Harrisburg Skyline) with Bath House in background

Fort Hunter Ducks in their temporary pond

Fort Hunter Covered Bridge- and the temporary water

Fort Hunter Building almost completely covered

Fort Hunter lone Red Tree

Be Blessed.

Water rising on another Fort Hunter Building