Flooding forecast for Susquehanna River

Port Deposit, MD – September 7, 2011: Major flooding is forecast along the Susquehanna River over the next several days.  The Town of Port Deposit and Cecil County Department of Emergency Services urge all residents to prepare now for evacuation.  This will be a major flood event that should be taken very seriously by residents.

At 10:00 PM Exelon Corporation, operator of the Conowingo Dam, reported that 13 spill gates on the dam were open.  MD.222 Susquehanna River Road is currently closed from the Conowingo Dam to the Town of Port Deposit and the Town Emergency Operations Center has been activated.  As many as 20 spill gates may be opened by 6:00 AM and river flow is anticipated to increase through Saturday.

“Based on information from the National Weather Service, we expect this to be very similar to the flood that the Town experienced in 1996.  I have ordered a voluntary evacuation for all of Main Street by 4:00 PM Thursday”, said Port Deposit Mayor Wayne Tome. Residents are asked to heed the direction of emergency workers when the time comes to evacuate and it is recommended that residents take prescription medications, non-perishable food, water, and a battery or hand-crank powered radio with you. The Cecil County Department of Emergency Services is coordinating the activation of an emergency shelter that will be available after 4:00 PM Thursday at the Perryville High School for evacuated residents that are unable to stay with family or friends.

Information on the number of gates open at the dam can be obtained from the Conowingo Spill Condition Hotline at (877) 457-2525. Residents in Port Deposit with questions or concerns may contact Town Hall at (410) 378-2121.