Ice jam threatens Emlenton, Allegheny River communities with flooding
Brady Louise, an Emlenton borough resident and captain at Emlenton Fire Department, said he spent most of Friday, Feb. 20, watching the water levels of Allegheny River inch closer to his cabin.
“I’m nervous,” he said. “I’m standing on my deck and the ice is right underneath it.”
Ice jams are a phenomenon where broken chunks of ice block the flow of a river or another body of water. With warm temperatures sweeping across the region throughout the week, ice that once covered the Allegheny River broke before jamming.
Louise said a jam seems to have formed about 3 miles upriver from Emlenton.
He added ice jams in Emlenton are uncommon and only happen after large storms, such as the 1993 “Storm of the Century.” He said he remembers his childhood home being destroyed by the flooding an ice jam caused in 1977.
In Emlenton specifically, the borough’s fire department has posted numerous updates throughout the day Friday keeping residents aware of the current situation.
“If you hear a prolonged blast of the town fire siren, this will indicate rapidly changing conditions and to evacuate areas near the river immediately,” a Facebook post from the department said at 6:30 a.m. Friday.
By 1 p.m., an update from the department said River Avenue had started flooding and asked onlookers to avoid the area as traffic could impede residents’ ability to evacuate.
Louise said as of about 3 p.m. Friday the situation remains about the same in the borough.
“The houses upriver are having some flooding into their basements while downriver we have some water coming up onto River Avenue,” he said.
As of Friday afternoon, advice remained the same for residents closest to the water: Be prepared to evacuate if you hear the siren. He said Seneca Volunteer Fire Department had its water rescue units on standby in case it was needed.
By 5:20 p.m., the Emlenton Fire Department issued another update, stating water levels remain similar to earlier in the day. The east end of River Avenue and portions of Honeysuckle Road had been flooded.
“Fire personnel will be monitoring the conditions and staffing the fire station as long as the situation persists,” the Facebook post said. “If additional rises occur, they will result in flooded homes and businesses.
“Those in flood-endangered areas should be ready to leave at a moments notice. If the situation persists overnight, residents should remain aware of conditions. As previously stated, if conditions begin to threaten homes on River Avenue, the town fire siren will be activated as a ‘long blast’ (not cycling up and down like it does for fire calls).”
Throughout the day, the number of onlookers watching the ice jam and the flooding grew. Some brought chairs to watch the river. Louise said, as of Friday afternoon, the onlookers had been staying away from the river or any flooding areas.
“It’s like a parade here. There’s so many cars,” he said.
He also warned communities downriver that eventually the ice jam will break and it may cause flooding or another jam further along.
Other communities around Butler County have also issued warnings regarding flooding and ice jams.
National Weather Service in Pittsburgh placed northeastern Butler County and nearby areas in three other counties under a flash flood warning until 7 p.m. Friday due to the ice jam. The whole of Butler County is under a flood watch until 9 a.m. Saturday.
Forward Township issued a warning to residents about potential flooding from ice jams through its Facebook page Thursday afternoon. The township is one of several in Butler County that lies close to Connoquenessing Creek.
Township manager Tom Hartwig said, as of noon Friday, no flooding had been reported. He added roadmaster Phil Chips toured the township Friday morning and did not notice any flooding.
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Parker's boat launch is completely submersed on Friday afternoon, Feb. 20, as ice blocks most of the section of water there. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
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Emlenton residents on River Avenue sit by a fire alongside the Allegheny River on Friday, Feb. 20, as they wait for the ice jam to release. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
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From left, Jancy and Karen Fascetti, of Mercer, check out the ice jam on the Allegheny River in Parker on Friday morning, Feb. 20. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
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From left, Venango County Commissioners Sam Breene and Ken Bryan walk along the Emlenton Bridge on Friday afternoon, Feb. 20 inspecting the ice jam after concerns in Oil City the previous day. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
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A campground between Emlenton and Foxburg is flooded on Friday morning, Feb. 20, by increasing water levels on the Allegheny River. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
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Allegheny River water levels in Foxburg near the bottom of the road on Friday morning, Feb. 20, with water flowing past on the opposite side of the town. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
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People gather in the IGA grocery store parking lot watching the Allegheny River levels, which are close to flooding over the parking area Friday morning, Feb. 20. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
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From left, April Parker, of Grove City, and Patty Whitling, of Emlenton, check out the water level of the Allegheny River at the Emlenton boat launch on Friday morning, Feb. 20. Jamie Hunt/Special to the Eagle
