Creeks Rise, but Some Relief from Rain Is on the Way

Flash flood watches and warnings remained in effect for Centre County on Wednesday, but the area likely will see a break from heavy rain beginning on Thursday.

Persistent downpours since Saturday resulted in up to 6 inches of rainfall in some parts of the county, causing a rise in creek and stream levels and some minor roadway flooding.

Spring Creek at Houserville rose about 2 feet since Saturday to a peak of just over 6 feet early Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. As of noon on Wednesday it was at 5.48 feet, which is considered near flood stage. At Milesburg, Spring Creek had risen about a foot to just below 6 feet and Bald Eagle Creek spiked by 3 feet to a level of just over 5 feet.

Portions of Penns Valley, where a flood warning was in effect until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, saw heavier impacts with some yard and roadway flooding. Miles Township Fire Department reported on Facebook that its crews have been helping pump out flooded basements since Tuesday.

Most of the county remains under a flash flood watch until 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to AccuWeather, periods of rain and thunderstorms can be expected through Wednesday afternoon, but relief should arrive on Thursday. The forecast calls for dry conditions and a high of 81.

Some thunderstorms may pop up again on Friday, but the weekend is expected to be dry and sunny, with highs in the 70s.

The break, however, might not last long. Heavy downpours could return to the Northeast early next week.

‘How far west the jet stream dip sets up will determine where the corridor of most frequent downpours occurs and greatest risk of flooding exists next week,’ AccuWeather long-range meteorologist Max Vido said. ‘The swath of repeating torrential downpours may set up a bit farther west next week, when compared to this week… This does not mean that areas farther to the east are out of the flood risk zone for next week.’

With the heavy rainfall over the past five days, this month now ranks as the wettest July on record, dating back to 1893, for the State College area, according to Penn State’s Weather World. The 7.86 inches so far surpassed the previous record of 7.30 inches, set in 2004.