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Susquehanna County assesses damage from Tropical Storm Debby

Newswatch 16's Emily Kress takes us to several communities in Susquehanna County where bridges and roads were washed away by flood waters.

"The water came all the way over here. It went all the way over up here, which has never flooded like that before," 

Toni Sinkiewicz of Gibson Township shared videos of flooding with Newswatch 16.

Water from Rock Creek along State Route 2036 roared through her neighborhood Friday afternoon after Tropical Storm Debby brought the rain. 

"I was sitting in my living room, and I could hear the rocks tumbling down the crick," said Sinkiewicz. 

Now, all that's left is the debris from the storm. 

Roads and yards have been washed away near the bridge. Rocks, sticks, and mud are still scattered throughout the neighborhood. 

Sinkiewicz says the worst part, this bridge was repaired back in the spring. Now all of that work is gone. 

"I did speak with PennDOT, and they did say they were going to try to get one side of the bridge enough that traffic can go through back and forth because right now, my husband and I cannot get out from the top or out from here," said Sinkiewicz. 

Susquehanna County Emergency Management is now working to assess all of the damage. This bridge on Stone Bridge Road in Herrick Township is closed until further notice.

EMA coordinator Scott Aylesworth says the eastern part of the county saw the worst of the storm. 

"I'm currently in the process of meeting with the municipalities that had damage working with the disaster declaration just trying to figure out what roads have damage and what that damage is," said Aylesworth. 

On Tower Hill Road in Ararat Township, EMA officials say another bridge is closed indefinitely. Flooding caused parts of the bridge to crack and buckle.

Shirley Wademan has lived here for 70 years and tells Newswatch 16 the storm didn't seem extreme, and she was surprised by the amount of damage.

"Like rain, it looked like rain to me, a normal rainstorm. We've had different types of floods before," said Wademan. 

Susquehanna County EMA urges anyone in the county who has damage to their homes or property to report it to their townships.

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