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Sunday, September 19, 2004     Page: 2B

DEPENDING ON WHERE you live, you either took a direct hit or dodged a
bullet from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan.
   
The storm had been downgraded to a depression but the semantics were lost
on people who live in Northeastern Pennsylvania and within the Susquehanna
River basin watershed. Whatever Ivan was, it dumped prodigious amounts of rain
Friday night and Saturday morning, turning streams into rapids and rivers into
torrents.
    The effect was frightening. If you live near those streams and creeks –
Solomon, Mill, Toby or another – there’s a chance your yard, basement or even
first floor was inundated.
   
If you live near a low-lying area along the Susquehanna River – Harding,
West Pittston, Plainsville, Mocanaqua, Shickshinny – chances are your property
was flooded again as it has been too many times in the past.
   
Even people who live away from waterways all around Luzerne County
discovered that the many inches of rain overnight accumulated and seeped into
basements, flooded streets and ruined property. And in the morning, the
community woke to the possibility of the Susquehanna cresting in Wilkes-Barre
at between 35 and 37 feet. That would be more flow than at any other time
other then when Tropical Storm Agnes flooded the Wyoming Valley in 1972.
   
Whether this widespread flooding was a first occurrence for people or
brought back memories of floods in 1972, 1936 or the dozen times the river has
flooded low-lying areas, it caused anguish and threatened a lot of pain.
   
While the bulk of Wyoming Valley residents and property owners were
relieved late Saturday afternoon that the crest would be just 35 feet, that
qualification was no comfort to the residents on Susquehanna Avenue in West
Pittston, Italy Street in Mocanaqua or the neighborhoods along Solomon Creek.
   
People in those areas are going to need help rebuilding their homes. There
are many others scattered throughout the area still knee deep in work and
frustration.
   
Luzerne County is faced with the huge expense of reacting to the flooded
areas. So are municipalities. There are costs for overtime and materials.
   
We need our legislators in Harrisburg and Washington to step up and make
the case that the area needs help to recover and pay for the costs of this
disaster.
   
In the meantime, we thank the emergency and municipal workers who scrambled
through long hours, unclogging storm basins, pumping out basements, evacuating
neighborhoods. Thanks to the county and municipal workers who came together to
share resources, knowledge and muscle. To family, friends and neighbors who
offered help, refuge and assistance.
   
It’s terrible when disaster strikes and intimidates us with a full
catastrophe. There is some comfort that the community responds quickly and
still comes together.