Flooding
Working with partners on flood mitigation and preparedness.
Working Together
Lewisburg is a community that floods with regularity. We are essentially surrounded by water on all sides between the Susquehanna River, Miller Run, Buffalo Creek, and Limestone (Bull) Run. Unfortunately, as our climate changes, we expect floods to become even more frequent and intense. While we cannot change the weather, we can work together to minimize our vulnerability and exposure to this risk through flood mitigation efforts.
From upstream tree plantings to the Bull Run Greenway, Lewisburg Neighborhoods is working with partners on borough-wide flood mitigation.
Prepare and Mitigate
What You Can Do Now
Flood Preparedness
A little preparedness can go a long way during a flooding emergency.
Here are some things you can do to prepare:
- Know your flood risk. See the “Local Flood Hazard Maps“ provided by the Borough of Lewisburg to determine what flood elevation might affect your home.
- Monitor the National Weather Service River Gauge.
- Make a plan in the event you need to evacuate your home.
- Buy flood insurance and raise your utilities (furnace, water heater, electrical panels, etc.) above the 100-year floodplain at least.
- Monitor weather conditions to stay abreast of potential emergencies.
How to Learn More
Web Resources
- River Gauge Data: Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service from National Weather Service
- Lewisburg RiverCam: hourly stills of the view from the USGS river gauge
- Flood Readiness Info: emergency preparedness guidelines at from FEMA at ready.gov
- FEMA GIS map tool
- Union County GIS map tool
- Lewisburg Borough Flood Information (includes “Local Flood Hazard Maps” that show renderings of flood stage impacts at 2′ intervals)
- What Determines Flood Risks and Costs from FEMA
Flood Impact Task Force
The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 was passed by the U.S. Congress to extend the National Flood Insurance Program. It required significant reforms and adjustments to flood insurance rates. While the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (2014), slowed the pace at which the new rates would take effect, it did not change the long term outlook.
The Lewisburg Borough Flood Impact Task Force was initiated on July 15, 2014 to help establish an accurate picture of impacts and avenues for potential policy and program responses for our historic rivertown community with an eye toward applying to FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) for a possible exemption from or reduction in exposure to Biggert-Waters and/or for applying for federal money to perform flood mitigation work on properties that would be affected.
The National Flood Insurance Program directly involves the federal government and private property owners. Local and state government bodies do not get direct rate feedback. The Task Force sought to make the case that one size (national legislation) does not fit all (specifically historic river towns, as opposed to new, perilous, coastal development).
Past Floods
"Lewisburg Pennsylvania Flood of 1936"
From an old 16mm home movie. Attributed to the flood of March 17, 1936 but possibly from a later flood on May 29, 1946.
"Agnes Revisited"
Presented by the Bucknell Humanities Center, with funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Conceived by Andrew Stuhl and Bethany Fitch, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1972 Agnes Flood. Assembled from the stories provided by those who lived through Agnes, June 1972. Script devised and arranged by Bethany Fitch, Clare McGowan, Lydia Palumbo, Gerard Stropnicky, Andrew Stuhl, and Katrien Weemaes.
"Too Much Brown Water"
A short compilation of images shot during the September 8, 2011 flood of Bull Run Creek and the Susquehanna River in and around Lewisburg, PA. from Tropical Storm Lee. Shot and edited by Paul Naton, Radio Carbon Art Productions.
"Agnes Revisited– A Re-Photography Exhibit for the 50th Anniversary of Tropical Storm Agnes (1972)"
In this exhibit pdf, you’ll find five pairs of photos. Each pair of photos depicts a single location in Lewisburg at two moments in time — June, 1972 and the spring of 2022. This photo series, then, helps visualize the threat of flooding in Lewisburg, as well as the damages and recovery efforts spawned by Agnes.
Members of the community working together to preserve natural settings and streetscapes, strengthen ties among neighbors, and improve the quality of life in Lewisburg for residents and visitors.
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Lewisburg Neighborhoods
P.O. Box 298
Lewisburg, PA 17837
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