Heavy rain caused flooding on several Centre County roads Wednesday and most local school districts dismissed students early because of the travel conditions.
The National Weather Service at State College issued a flood watch, meaning flooding is possible, for Centre County and most of central Pennsylvania through Thursday morning, with 1 to 4 inches of rain having already fallen since Tuesday across the watch area and another 1.5 to 2.5 inches expected. A total of about 3 inches is expected in State College.
Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks and flooding may also occur in low-lying and poor-drainage areas, according to the watch statement.
A flood warning — meaning flooding is occurring or will occur — is also in effect until Saturday for Bald Eagle Creek near Beech Creek Station, affecting portions of Centre and Clinton counties. The creek “is expected to rise above flood stage (11 feet) this afternoon to a crest of 12.9 feet just after midnight tonight,” according to the warning.
SCHOOLS DISMISSING EARLY
Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte Area, Penns Valley Area and Philipsburg-Osceola Area school districts dismissed students early because of roadway flooding. One State College Area school also dismissed early. Keystone Central School District, which includes a portion of northeastern Centre County, closed early as well.
• All Bald Eagle Area schools dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, “due to deteriorating road conditions caused by flooding,” the district wrote in a Facebook post.
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” the post stated.
• Bellefonte Area high school and middle school students dismissed at noon on Wednesday and elementary schools will be dismissed at 1 p.m., “due to ongoing and more potential flooding,” according to a message sent to families.
After-school activities were canceled, and district buildings closed by 3 p.m.
• Penns Valley Area students in pre-K through fourth grade dismissed at noon on Wednesday due to flooding, according to a message on the district website. Intermediate School students were dismissed at 12:20 p.m. and the high school was dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
• Philipsburg-Osceola Area dismissed all students at 1 p.m. due to flooding concerns, according to a post on the district’s Facebook page.
• In the State College Area School District, Spring Creek Elementary students were dismissed early because of a loss of power and water as a result of the storm that moved through on Wednesday morning, according to a message sent to families. All other SCASD schools are operating on normal schedules.
• Keystone Central School District dismissed students three hours early, according to the district’s Facebook page.
FLOODED ROADS
According the the Centre County 9-1-1 Facebook page, county EMA and first responders reported flooding on the following roads as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday:
• 900 block of Penns Creek Road (SR 2012), Penn Township
• Penns Creek/Long Lane, Penn Township
• Marsh Creek Road between Orviston Mountain Road and Howard Divide Road in Liberty and Curtin townships
• 4200 block and 3200 block of Buffalo Run Road (SR 550) in Patton Township
• 3100 block of Marengo Road in Halfmoon Township
• Fox Hollow Road (SR 3005) from Toftrees Avenue inPatton Township to Big Hollow Road in College Towship.
According to PennDOT, the following roads also were closed on Wednesday:
• Sinking Creek Road between the intersections of Egg Hill Road and School Street in Potter and Gregg townships
• Upper Coleville Road between the Warner Company Road and Lower Coleville Road intersections in Spring Township.
Flooded roadways that are causing a hazard should be reported to 1-800-479-0050.
Emergency management officials advise motorists to never drive on flooded roads, as almost half of flood deaths happen in vehicles and 6 inches of water is enough to cause loss of control of a vehicle.
