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Parts of Sullivan County Devastated After Flash Flooding

HILLSGROVE TOWNSHIP — A state of emergency is in effect for several flood-damaged areas, including parts of Sullivan County. Places like Hillsgrove Townsh...
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HILLSGROVE TOWNSHIP -- A state of emergency is in effect for several flood-damaged areas, including parts of Sullivan County.

Places like Hillsgrove Township have been hit hard. Even federal help has been called in.

“We had the National Guard here,” said Hillsgrove Fire Chief Bill Stabryla.

Roads have been ripped up, and hundred-year-old houses were washed away. About a half dozen roads are closed, and likely will be for a while.

“It was a scary mess. It was a disaster,” Stabryla said.

Downpours caused Mill Creek to crest. Nearby streets were submerged under water.

"Pictures don't justify, it's nothing until you actually come up and see what it is like,” said Ervin Stoltzfus of Lewisburg.

People living in Hillsgrove say the damage of the flash flooding is worse than the massive flooding of 2011.

“From what I understand, there are 20 or 30 more cabins I haven’t even seen yet that are knocked off their foundation. We haven’t got to them. The National Guard got to them and seen them,” said Stabryla.

“Nobody was hurt despite all the devastation. This is all just stuff and it can all be rebuilt," said Greg Graboski of Hillsgrove.

The cleanup has now begun. Even 12-year-old Mason Hoppes helped a convenience store owner dig out eight feet of mud from his basement.

"Everybody is just coming out because it's just so terrible and everybody just they lost stuff," said Mason Hoppes of Hughesville.

"She made chili. I made chicken noodle soup. Cindi and Joanne made sandwiches," said Jennifer Hallock of Lovelton.

So many from Hillsgrove and all over central Pennsylvania came out, showing the best of a community during one of its worst days.

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