View source for 2006 Mid-Atlantic United States flood

{{Short description|Natural disaster in the United States}}
{{Infobox weather event
|image =Columbia njflood june06.jpg
|caption=The [[Delaware River]] overspilled its banks and overtook [[U.S. Route 46|US 46]] in [[Columbia, New Jersey|Columbia, NJ]]
|image-upright=
|name=Mid-Atlantic United States flood of 2006
}}{{Infobox weather event/History
|duration=June 25&ndash;July 5, 2006
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
|damages=$1 billion (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|1,000,000,000|2006}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}){{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7Efloods/Archives/2006sum.htm|title=Dartmouth Flood Observatory|publisher=|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=13 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013172550/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~floods/Archives/2006sum.htm}}</ref>
|fatalities=16
|affected=[[Delaware]], [[Maryland]], [[New Jersey]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Virginia]], [[Washington, DC]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
A significant flood affected much of the [[Mid-Atlantic States|Mid-Atlantic]] region of the [[eastern United States]] in 2006. The flooding was very widespread, affecting numerous rivers, lakes and communities from [[Upstate New York]] to [[North Carolina]]. It was widely considered to be the worst flooding in the region since [[Hurricane David]] in 1979. It was also one of the worst floodings in the [[United States]] since [[Hurricane Katrina]] in August 2005. At least 16 deaths were related to the flooding.<ref name="weather_usa_dc">{{cite news| url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060628/us_nm/weather_usa_dc;_ylt=An5GeRPftJIgLw1pPHu1hf1H2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTA4dW1uZXIwBHNlYwMyNzQ3| title= At least 16 die in floods| first=Jon| last=Hurdle|date=June 28, 2006| access-date=2006-06-29| publisher=Yahoo News}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
==Meteorological history==
[[Image:River flooding in the United States, June 29, 2006 1530 UTC.png|right|thumb|300px|NOAA/USGS map of river flooding, June 29, 2006, around 1530 UTC.  Note the purples and reds in the [[Northeastern United States]]. Click the image for a color key.]]
The flooding was attributed to several weather factors that all came together over the region. The primary factor was the stalling of the [[jet stream]] just to the west of the [[Appalachian Mountains]].  That, combined with the [[Bermuda High]] over the [[Atlantic Ocean]], blocked any systems from moving inland or offshore. The influence of a tropical low (which nearly became a [[tropical cyclone|tropical storm]] but did not attain a full surface circulation) off the [[North Carolina]] coast allowed a constant stream of tropical moisture to enter the Mid-Atlantic region.  The resulting heavy and prolonged rains overflowed the banks of many rivers, lakes, and streams, leading to the flooding. A senior [[National Weather Service]] meteorologist declared that rain events of this size take place in the region only every 200 years.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/28/AR2006062800230_3.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=After the Deluge, Death and Debris | first1=Alec | last1=MacGillis | first2=Philip | last2=Rucker | date=June 29, 2006 | access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref>
==Impact==
[[Image:Hvyrainjun23282006rain.gif|thumb|left|Rainfall in the East, June 23–29, 2006]]
===Delaware===
Considerable flooding occurred in much of [[Delaware]], particularly in [[Sussex County, Delaware|Sussex County]], where [[Governor of Delaware|Governor]] [[Ruth Ann Minner]] declared a state of emergency. The hardest hit community was [[Seaford, Delaware|Seaford]], where 40 families were temporarily homeless and many homes and businesses were damaged.<ref name="S=5087000">{{cite web|url=http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5087000|title=Victims of Flooding Seek State, Federal Help|publisher=|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=30 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530035118/http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5087000}}</ref>
===District of Columbia===
Significant street and river flooding was reported in [[Washington, D.C.]] Several important federal buildings, including the [[National Archives and Records Administration]], the [[Internal Revenue Service]], the [[United States Department of Justice]] and some of the [[Smithsonian Institution]], were closed.<ref name="ap_on_re_us">[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060628/ap_on_re_us/northeast_flooding ]{{dead link|date=May 2018}}</ref> Mayor [[Anthony A. Williams]] declared a [[state of emergency]] as a result of the flooding and the threat of [[power outage]]s and other problems.<ref name="wusatv9">{{cite web|url=https://www.wusa9.com/error/404|title=WUSA9.com|website=WUSA|access-date=29 May 2018}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Sections of [[Beach Drive (Washington, D.C.)|Beach Drive]] in [[Rock Creek Park]] were washed out. The road was closed for several months for repair and reinforcing. Beach Drive is the main north–south road through the park and is a major commuter artery.{{cn|date=October 2023}}
===Maryland===
The most severe flooding took place in and around [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]]. Over 2,200 people had to be evacuated from the area south of [[Lake Needwood]] in [[Rockville, Maryland|Rockville]] due to concerns of a [[dam]] break there (the [[earthen dam]] was leaking). If the dam were to break, communities downstream could be under as much as {{convert|22|ft}} of flood water.<ref name="wusatv9"/> The dam did not break, however, and the evacuations ended on the evening of June 29. [[U.S. Route 29 in Maryland|US 29]] (Colesville Road) in [[Silver Spring, Maryland|Silver Spring]] and [[Maryland Route 198|MD 198]] near [[Fort Meade, Maryland|Fort Meade]] were among the dozens of roadways closed due to high water.  Parts of [[Laurel, Maryland|Laurel]] in [[Prince George's County, Maryland|Prince George's County]] were also evacuated after floodgates were opened to relieve pressure on a nearby dam.{{cn|date=October 2023}}
In [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick County]], three people were killed when they attempted to cross the flood waters from [[Middle Creek (Toms Creek)|Middle Creek]].<ref>[http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/9437349/detail.html Three Killed When Washed Out Of Truck Bed – Baltimore News Story – WBAL Baltimore<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Also in Frederick County, a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy drowned while swimming in a swollen creek that feeds into the [[Monocacy River]]. On July 4 in Prince George's County, the body of a 22-year-old man was recovered. It was determined that his car was swept off US 29 by the floodwaters nearly two weeks prior.<ref name="baltimoresun1">{{cite news |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.short08jul08,0,6205241.story?coll=bal |title= |newspaper=Baltimore Sun |access-date=29 May 2018}}{{dead link|date=February 2024}}</ref> In [[Harford County, Maryland|Harford County]], several inches of rain fell for several days. Parts of the [[Susquehanna River]] and [[Deer Creek (Maryland)|Deer Creek]] flooded, and several rescues were performed.{{cn|date=October 2023}} Damage to roads and [[agriculture]] in the [[Eastern Shore of Maryland|Eastern Shore]] region alone was estimated to be around $12 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|12,000,000|2006}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}).{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}<ref name="S=5087000"/>
On Friday, June 30, Maryland Governor [[Robert Ehrlich]] requested federal disaster aid for five Maryland counties: [[Caroline County, Maryland|Caroline]], [[Cecil County, Maryland|Cecil]], [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester]], Harford, and Montgomery.  However, Ehrlich stated in a letter requesting the aid to President [[George W. Bush]] that more counties could be included after damage assessments. Governor Ehrlich stated that damages in Maryland could exceed $10 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|10,000,000|2006}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}).{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}<ref name="baltimoresun1"/> Ehrlich also requested, in addition to federal disaster aid, funds for "hazard mitigation assistance", which is federal money used to help governments rebuild antiquated structures with modern structures. Ehrlich also obtained loans from the federal [[Small Business Administration]] to help private property owners, both residential and business, to rebuild or repair damaged buildings.<ref name="baltimoresun1"/>
===New Jersey===
The heaviest flooding in [[New Jersey]] was along and near the [[Delaware River]], on the border with Pennsylvania. Over 1,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas of [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], and some state government buildings were closed. In addition, Trenton's water filtration system was shut down because of debris floating down the Delaware, and Mayor [[Douglas Palmer]] called for conservation, saying the city had only about two days of drinkable water.{{cn|date=October 2023}} The river was expected to crest Friday at nearly {{convert|8|ft}} over flood stage, the fourth-highest level on record for Trenton.<ref name="ap_on_re_us"/> [[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]] [[Jon Corzine]] had declared a state of emergency for the entire state as a result of the flooding.<ref>[http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_179132003.html cbs3.com - Governor Declares State Of Emergency In New Jersey<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
===New York===
[[Image:Guymard Turnpike.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Water from the [[Neversink River]] rushes over a road in [[Deerpark, New York]]]]
Significant flooding took place in the [[Southern Tier]] region, particularly around [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]] and [[Waverly, Tioga County, New York|Waverly]]/[[Sayre, Pennsylvania|Sayre]] (on the New York-Pennsylvania border). Riverside communities were severely flooded, and many evacuations took place in the region which stretched along the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]], [[Chenango River|Chenango]], [[Delaware River|Delaware]] and [[Unadilla River|Unadilla]] rivers.<ref>[http://www.wbng.com/news/local/3240801.html State Of Emergency Around Southern Tier | WBNG-TV Binghamton, NY | Local Top Stories<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004700/http://www.wbng.com/news/local/3240801.html |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref> The Susquehanna River in [[Bainbridge, New York|Bainbridge]] crested at {{convert|27|ft}}, {{convert|14|ft}} over the flood stage.  This was the highest the river had ever reached in the Bainbridge area. In [[Broome County, New York|Broome County]] alone, over 5,000 people were forced to evacuate, particularly in the submerged town of [[Conklin, New York|Conklin]].<ref name="weather_usa_dc"/> Two people were killed when a section of [[Interstate 88 (east)|I-88]] washed away and two trucks drove into the chasm created.<ref name="ap_on_re_us"/> The [[Mohawk River]] valley also experienced significant flooding, with damage occurring to Lock 10 on the [[Erie Canal]].{{cn|date=October 2023}} In [[Port Jervis, New York|Port Jervis]], the Delaware River flooded low areas of the city that had barely recovered from the record flooding of April 2005.  The [[Neversink River]] also swelled, prompting officials to close the Neversink bridge.  The [[Mid-Delaware Bridge]] (carrying [[U.S. Route 6 in New York|US 6]]/[[U.S. Route 209|US 209]]) was also closed.{{cn|date=October 2023}}
[[Governor of New York|Governor]] [[George Pataki]] estimated that damage in the state could exceed $100 million (equivalent to more than ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|100,000,000|2006}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}).{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}<ref name="ap_on_re_us"/> Many of the records levels during this flood would be topped five years later in 2011 when the remnants of [[Tropical Storm Lee (2011)|Tropical Storm Lee]] struck the area.{{cn|date=October 2023}}
===Pennsylvania===
[[Image:2006 flood Westfall PA.png|thumb|250px|left|[[U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania|US 6]]/[[U.S. Route 209|US 209]] flooded by the [[Delaware River]] at [[Westfall, Pennsylvania|Westfall, PA]]]]
The worst flooding in the state took place in the [[Susquehanna River]] valley and its tributaries. Over 200,000 residents in northeastern [[Pennsylvania]] had to be evacuated due to the rising floodwaters. Damage in [[Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania|Susquehanna County]] alone totaled over $100 million (equivalent to more than ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|100,000,000|2006}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}).{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~635704|title=NCDC: Event Details<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207225652/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~635704|archive-date=7 February 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Extensive river flooding was reported in dozens of communities in eastern Pennsylvania. Over 70 people had to be rescued from rooftops by [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]] [[helicopter]]s after being stranded by the floodwaters.<ref name="weather_usa_dc"/> At the [[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre]] flood protection levee, the river was at {{convert|41|ft}}, which was about the record level reached in [[Hurricane Agnes]] and at which point catastrophic flooding takes place. Forecasts predicted that the river would crest at above {{convert|39|ft}}, exceeding any other event other than Agnes and leading to significant flooding in other communities with less protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=5085783|title='Story' Meets a Cow!|date=18 August 2015|publisher=|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Luzerne County]] officials said the large evacuations were precautionary, as there was a potential for the area to be isolated if the most severe predictions took hold. In [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], the [[Schuylkill River]]'s flood stage is {{convert|13|ft}}, and the river was projected to crest at about {{convert|23|ft}}, resulting in the worst flooding in the area since Hurricane Agnes. In [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]], the [[Delaware River]] crested at {{convert|17|ft}} above flood stage. At [[Riegelsville, Pennsylvania|Riegelsville]], the river was at {{convert|14|ft}} above flood level, and at [[New Hope, Pennsylvania|New Hope]] it crested at {{convert|8|ft}} above flood level.
[[Image:Hummelstown United Water Plant Flooding.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Swatara Creek]] inundates the United Water Plant and the Duke Street Bridge in [[Hummelstown, PA]]]]
In [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], a festival's start in the city was pushed back and cut down, due to the potential for the flood, and the [[Harrisburg Senators]] were forced to play two "home games" in [[Bowie, Maryland]], due to flooding in [[Commerce Bank Park]]. [[Philadelphia]]'s [[Kelly Drive]] and West River Drive were closed. The [[Knoebels]] [[amusement park]] in [[Elysburg, Pennsylvania|Elysburg]] was closed due to the flooding of local creeks and did not reopen until Friday afternoon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knoebels.com/flood.htm |title=Knoebels Flood |access-date=2006-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706062229/http://www.knoebels.com/flood.htm |archive-date=2006-07-06 }}</ref> The [[Manayunk, Philadelphia|Manayunk]] neighborhood in Philadelphia issued a mandatory evacuation for the area between Main Street and Ridge and Levering.<ref>[http://www.nbc10.com/weather/9439228/detail.html weatherplus.com - Weather News - News: Floods Cause Disaster Declarations<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Severe flooding of [[Swatara Creek]] near [[Hershey, Pennsylvania|Hershey]] and [[Hummelstown, Pennsylvania|Hummelstown]] closed many roads in the area and damaged a number of homes.  The creek crested at {{convert|16.12|ft}} around 7 am on June 29, breaking the previous official record of {{convert|15.37|ft}}, which was set September 27, 1975.  However, this did not come close to the flooding after Hurricane Agnes, which caused the creek to crest at approximately {{convert|28|ft}} on June 23, 1972. Hummelstown was flooded briefly (3–4 days), mainly across Duke and Water streets, as well as the railroad tracks. In [[Pike County, Pennsylvania|Pike County]], the [[Delaware River]] caused extensive damage to [[Matamoras, Pennsylvania|Matamoras Borough]] and [[Westfall Township, Pennsylvania|Westfall Township]].  The Delaware crested in the early hours of June 29 at {{convert|32.16|ft}} at [[Milford, Pennsylvania|Milford]] (as per NOAA hydrograph <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=bgm&gage=mtgn4 |title=Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: Binghamton: Delaware River at Montague<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2006-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007112333/http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=bgm&gage=mtgn4 |archive-date=2006-10-07 }}</ref>) The record level of the river at Milford is {{convert|35.5|ft}}, and flood stage is {{convert|25|ft}}. On Friday, June 30, [[U.S. Route 209|US 209]] between Milford and the [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe County]] line at [[Lehman Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania|Lehman Township]] was closed. In [[Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Wayne County]], the opening of the [[Lake Wallenpaupack]] spillway caused damage downstream.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neagle.com/articles/2006/06/30/news/news1.txt|title=Article 404 - News Eagle - Hawley, PA - Hawley, PA|website=News Eagle|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> The Delaware River also caused damage on the eastern border of the county. Damage in Wayne County totaled about $50 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|50,000,000|2006}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}).{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519224238/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~635671 |url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~635671 |archive-date=2011-05-19 |title=Event Record Details |website=NOAA Satellite and Information Service}}</ref> In [[Lackawaxen Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania|Lackawaxen]], the [[Zane Grey]] museum, part of the [[Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River]], sustained significant damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=2681|title=News (U.S. National Park Service)|website=www.nps.gov|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>
Of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, 46 were under a state of emergency as declared by [[Governor of Pennsylvania|Governor]] [[Ed Rendell]]. Four deaths were confirmed in Pennsylvania; two in [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Luzerne County]], one near [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania|Gettysburg]], and one in rural [[Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Wayne County]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/nyregion/29flood.html?ex=1151726400&en=decae6facc38f6ff&ei=5087%0A | work=The New York Times | title=Mid-Atlantic States Reel Under Deluge; 10 Dead | first=Alan | last=Feuer | date=June 29, 2006 | access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref>
===Virginia===
Flooding occurred in many areas in [[Virginia]], particularly in the north. A mudslide closed the [[Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway)|Capital Beltway (I-495)]] in [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]] for several hours on Monday, June 26. [[Mudslide]]s were also witnessed in the mountainous regions.<ref>[http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0606/340135.html ]{{dead link|date=May 2018}}</ref> [[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Tim Kaine]] declared a state of emergency for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.
==See also==
*[[Floods in the United States]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2006-06-25 Flood, United States}}
[[Category:2006 meteorology|Flood, 06-25, United States]]
[[Category:Floods in the United States|06-25 Mid-Atlantic]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Pennsylvania|Flood, 2006-06-25]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Maryland|Flood, 2006-06-25]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Washington, D.C.|Flood, 2006-06-25]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in New Jersey|Flood, 2006-06-25]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in New York (state)|Flood, 2006-06-25]]
[[Category:2000s floods in the United States]]
[[Category:2006 floods|United States, 06-25]]
[[Category:2006 natural disasters in the United States|Flood, 06-25]]
[[Category:June 2006 events in the United States|Flood, 25]]