The rain stopped and the sun briefly peaked out Friday, but the flood dangers in the riverside communities of Havre de Grace and Port Deposit remained as a surge of water moved its way down the Susquehanna River from the north and forced operators of the Conowingo Dam to open more flood gates.
Havre de Grace schools and Aberdeen High School were already closed for the day, but Harford County Public Schools took the additional step of cancelling all weekend activities at all of its facilities – including use of school athletic fields. Also, the Havre de Grace Activity Center announced it would be closed over the weekend. All Senior programs, Havre de Grace Recreation Committee programs, and Boys and Girls Club programs were cancelled.
In a letter to President Barack Obama, Maryland’s Senate and Congressional Delegation requested a federal emergency declaration for the State of Maryland as a result of flooding from Tropical Storm Lee; specifically pointing out the unique dangers of living in the shadow of the Conowingo Dam.
“The heavy rains from Hurricane Irene followed by the heavy rains from Tropical Storm Lee have caused many Maryland waterways to rise to dangerous levels. The greatest impact is currently in the area around the Conowingo Dam, and the National Weather Service has advised our state to make preparations for record flooding near the Maryland portion of the Susquehanna River. The Dam has already opened 43 of 53 floodgates. There is also record flooding in Southern Maryland, and major road closures exist all over the state.”
ALL Harford County Public Schools EVENING AND WEEKEND ACTIVITIES CANCELLED
From Harford County Public Schools:
ALL Harford County Public Schools evening and weekend activities are cancelled to include ALL Friday (9/9/11) afternoon/evening activities and all Saturday (9/10/11) and Sunday (9/11/11) activities as well. We are asking the community to please stay off of all HCPS athletic fields to minimize damage
Havre de Grace Activity Center to be Closed this Weekend
From Harford County government:
The Havre de Grace Activity Center (351 Lewis Lane, Havre de Grace) will be closed on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11, 2011 due to flooding conditions in the Havre de Grace area.
Senior programs, Havre de Grace Recreation Committee programs, and the Boys and Girls Club programs are all cancelled.
For more information on Harford County’s response to Tropical Storm Lee and the resultant flooding conditions, visit www.harfordcountymd.gov.
MIKULSKI, CARDIN LEAD MARYLAND DELEGATION IN REQUESTING FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR MARYLAND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY TROPICAL STORM LEE
From the office of Sen. Barbara Mikulski:
Delegation asks President Obama to support Governor O’Malley’s request for federal emergency declaration as communities near the Maryland portion of the Susquehanna River prepare for record flooding
U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) were joined by members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to President Barack Obama requesting that Maryland be granted a federal emergency declaration following Tropical Storm Lee. If awarded, Maryland will become eligible for federal disaster recovery dollars through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), ensuring the already strained state budget is not stretched any thinner as a result of another natural disaster. The letter was signed by Senators Mikulski and Cardin, as well as U.S. Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Roscoe E. Bartlett, Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards, and Andy Harris.
“The heavy rains from Hurricane Irene followed by the heavy rains from Tropical Storm Lee have caused many Maryland waterways to rise to dangerous levels,” the letter reads. “ . . . Given the State resources already in use as we recover from a hurricane just two weeks ago, supplementary federal assistance is necessary to save lives and protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert disaster.”
In 2006, Senator Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, secured $1.8 million for the Susquehanna Flood Forecast and Warning System (Susquehanna System). The Susquehanna System warns 1,700 communities in three states about devastating floods. Early warnings allow residents and businesses time to prepare before flood waters strike, and helps emergency management officials implement flood control plans to minimize damages.
As authorities work to restore electricity and assist residents, please remember to follow the instructions of local officials. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
The text of the delegation’s letter of support is as follows:
September 9, 2011
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing to express our strong support for Governor O’Malley’s September 8, 2011 request for a federal emergency declaration for the State of Maryland as a result of flooding from Tropical Storm Lee beginning on September 8, 2011.
The heavy rains from Hurricane Irene followed by the heavy rains from Tropical Storm Lee have caused many Maryland waterways to rise to dangerous levels. The greatest impact is currently in the area around the Conowingo Dam, and the National Weather Service has advised our state to make preparations for record flooding near the Maryland portion of the Susquehanna River. The Dam has already opened 43 of 53 floodgates. There is also record flooding in Southern Maryland, and major road closures exist all over the state.
Governor O’Malley took appropriate action under Maryland law, directing the execution of the State Emergency Operations Plan. The Governor further declared that a Continued State of Emergency exists within the entire state beginning September 8, 2011. Given the State resources already in use as we recover from a hurricane just two weeks ago, supplementary federal assistance is necessary to save lives and protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert a disaster.
Maryland and its local jurisdictions have contributed a vast amount of resources within the past few weeks which will continue to have economic impacts around our state. An emergency declaration is necessary to help provide the resources needed by all. We appreciate your consideration of Maryland’s request, and look forward to continue working with you to meet the needs of our State.
Sincerely,
Sen. Barbara Mikulski
Sen. Ben Cardin
Rep. Steny H. Hoyer
Rep. Roscoe E. Bartlett
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings
Rep. Chris Van Hollen
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Rep. John P. Sarbanes
Rep. Donna F. Edwards
Rep. Andy Harris
Photographs of Port Deposit cleaning up by Dean Nicewander
Photographs of flood conditions in Havre de Grace and Perryville by Dean Nicewander
Great photos, but oh so sad
Sure hope the mayor liked the football game. Shows that he really cares about the RAVENS.
Are volunteers needed to help clean up Port Deposit?
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