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Ice Jam In Creek Prompts Flash Flood Warning

HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP — The wacky weather prompted some concerns in Luzerne County. First, it was snow with sub-freezing temperatures; then on Tuesday, it w...

HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP -- The wacky weather prompted some concerns in Luzerne County.

First, it was snow with sub-freezing temperatures; then on Tuesday, it was warmer with a downpour of rain.

All of that led to a flash flood warning for residents in Huntington Township.

A large ice jam halted water from running in Pine Creek, causing water to overflow the creek's banks near Shickshinny.

The ice jam prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning in Huntington Township.

“Because of the rising water and the weather that we've had lately, we have a significant ice jam on Pine Creek and at this point we're just keeping an eye on it, watching it, make sure that it doesn't back up,” said Doug Thomas, the township’s EMA coordinator.

While it’s fairly rural in the township, there are homes and businesses near the creek.

The NWS said the Bonham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the Pine Creek Apartments could experience flooding problems, but Thomas said no one was being told to leave their homes.

“Right now, there's no evacuation. The nursing home is fine. All we want is for residents to be aware that the situation is there,” said Thomas.

Mark Whalen owns the Pine Creek Apartments and felt confident his tenants were safe.

“I went down there and there's no water anywhere near it and I came up to check the flood dam myself and I've seen it a lot worse than this and I don't see it ever flooding them apartments out right now,” said Whalen.

Many residents say there's always a problem with flooding in Pine Creek due to all the debris in it. They want the state to clean it up.

“It has caused a lot of problems, you know. They haven't cleaned the creeks out since 2011, all the flooding and everything,” said Ron Lechlitner.

“Clear the debris, buy more land instead of putting up a flood wall and the water dissipates and it eliminates the flooding,” said Jim Barchak.

Newswatch 16 did reach out to DEP about removing debris from the creek. A spokesperson says it was something they would look into.

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