On September 8th 2011 the Rain Started...
On that day communities across Northeast Pennsylvania where soon to be under floodwaters, forcing over 100,000 Pennsylvania residents across the area to evacuate their homes. Forecasts were predicting the Susquehanna would rise over 18 inches.
In Wyoming County the Susquehanna River at Meshoppen surpassed its highest level recorded during Hurricane Agnes in 1972 by three inches.
The river hit 43.76 at 2 p.m., three inches above the recorded high during Agnes on June 23, 1972 - 43.51, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage for the river is 27 feet.
Park Commission President Jerry Bogedin and I (Lori Bogedin his wife) walked down through Tunkhannock's tunnel access when the rain first started and saw the river inching its way up and over the railway tracks.
Above are some of the photographs taken between 3:00pm and 5:00pm of the flooding in Tunkhannock. The water came up so fast no one expected the devastation that lay hidden under the raging waters. The day before the rain started park picnic tables were moved to an area volunteers thought was far enough away from any flooding.
Sadly, as we watched the park's gazebo go down the river and hit the Tunkhannock bridge, it was clear that not much if anything would be left at Riverside Park.
Tunkhannock Borough had just purchased a new John Deere tracker and large shed (the shed was days away from being moved to its permanent location outside the flood line) to house the parks now two lawnmowers and all landscaping equipment. Lance Reese and Mike Salsman of the Wyalusing area had just finished building picnic tables and benches for their Eagle Scout Badge, new trees had just been planted with the help of Don and Wendy Sweppenheiser and other organizations in Tunkhannock. All this and so much more was lost to the flood waters.
Sadly, as we watched the park's gazebo go down the river and hit the Tunkhannock bridge, it was clear that not much if anything would be left at Riverside Park.
Tunkhannock Borough had just purchased a new John Deere tracker and large shed (the shed was days away from being moved to its permanent location outside the flood line) to house the parks now two lawnmowers and all landscaping equipment. Lance Reese and Mike Salsman of the Wyalusing area had just finished building picnic tables and benches for their Eagle Scout Badge, new trees had just been planted with the help of Don and Wendy Sweppenheiser and other organizations in Tunkhannock. All this and so much more was lost to the flood waters.
After the waters receded Jerry and took a walk down to the park to survey the damage, we were shocked. It was so much worse than we had expected. Everything was gone or damaged. Our hearts went out to everyone that had been effected by the flood.
I took a picture of the entrance sign to show the High-water mark, which is directly above the words "Sponsored by", for anyone that has walked the park this is amazingly high.
The following picture was also taken that day, the flower are just within the water's highest level...life was returning!
The following picture was also taken that day, the flower are just within the water's highest level...life was returning!
Riverside Park Gets Ready to Re-Open!!!
This was taken mid-Feburary 2012, Jerry is standing under remaining debris left from last years flooding.
Plans are underway for the revitalization of Riverside Park in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania this spring.
Please keep checking in for more information and how you can help. Thank you for you continued support.
Jerry & Lori Bogedin
This was taken mid-Feburary 2012, Jerry is standing under remaining debris left from last years flooding.
Plans are underway for the revitalization of Riverside Park in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania this spring.
Please keep checking in for more information and how you can help. Thank you for you continued support.
Jerry & Lori Bogedin
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