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The Williamsport Bureau of Fire chief has asked residents to assist the department by cleaning remaining snow and ice on street storm drains and drainage basins in anticipation of heavy rain on Thursday and warmer temperatures expected to result in snow melting and potential of localized flooding and specifically street flooding.
Given last week's record breaking snowfall, many of the city's storm drains and drainage basins are blocked by snow and ice, Williamsport Bureau of Fire Chief Mark Killian said.
Beginning today, and continuing through Thursday, city streets and parks department crews will be working to clear snow, ice, and debris from as many storm drains as possible, he said.
"We ask that you please assist by clearing storm drains and basins around your homes, if you are able," Killian said.
The National Weather Service in State College is forecasting for 2 or more inches of rain combined with the potential for another 2 inches of snow melt on Thursday, which is Christmas Eve.
There is a flood watch in effect from noon Thursday until noon Christmas or Friday.
With that much expected rain and snow melt, Killian reminded residents to never drive through a flooded roadway.
"Standing or moving water on a roadway may be hiding deep, washed out areas, icy surfaces, and numerous other hazardous conditions," he said.
"As little as 12 inches of water can cause small vehicles to float, and even slow moving water can wash most vehicles off a roadway"
It is best to stop and turn the vehicle around to risk damage to it or potential hazardous conditions to the driver and its occupants, he said.
Temperature on Christmas Eve will be in the lower 50s, so the rain and warmth will likely result in significant snow melt and water ponding in low-lying areas, according to the forecast service.
The rain will continue through the evening Thursday, but the temperature is expected to drop into the lower 20s at night.
Christmas Day is expected to be cooler with highs reaching in the mid-20s and dropping to 13 at night.
Saturday should be mostly sunny with highs in the upper-20s and lows that night into the teens.