The rising Susquehanna River at Front and Maclay streets in Harrisburg.
The Susquehanna River is forecast to peak at nearly 20 feet on Friday morning, the highest river levels since the severe flooding of 2011.
Over the last several days, the National Weather Service has consistently nudged up its river-level forecast, which, two days ago, stood at 17 feet.
In Harrisburg, the flood level for the Susquehanna River is 17 feet. Currently, it stands at about 12 feet.
According to the National Weather Service, at 19 feet, “a number of homes in West Fairview, Dauphin and Harrisburg flood. Flood waters begin to reach Front Street in East Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County.” At 20 feet, Riverfront Park in Harrisburg begins to flood, as do some basements in flood-prone areas.
The National Weather Service said that the river should crest Friday morning before beginning to recede, returning to sub-flood levels by Saturday morning.
In Harrisburg, the most vulnerable areas for flooding include City Island, Shipoke, parts of Uptown and near Cameron and Market streets.
The National Weather Service’s hydrological chart shows a Susquehanna River peak in Harrisburg at almost 20 feet on Friday morning.
The Susquehanna River last overflowed its banks in 2011, when it flooded three times, including in September when Tropical Storm Lee caused widespread flooding in the greater Harrisburg area as the river level reached 25.1 feet. Paxton Creek similarly caused severe flooding along the Cameron Street corridor.
In eastern Dauphin County, the Swatara Creek is already above its flood stage of 11 feet near Middletown. It currently stands at about 14 feet and is expected to crest at near 17.7 feet by tomorrow night before beginning to fall, according to the National Weather Service.
Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he and Fire Chief Brian Enterline will hold a public update on the flooding situation late this afternoon on City Island.
