Underwater Destiny For Many N.J. Towns?

New Jersey may have been stronger than the storm, but the sea will prove stronger in the long run, scientists fear.

Dozens of its towns – including such familiar places as Atlantic City, Hoboken, Beach Haven and Wildwood — may already be doomed to partly flooded futures.

Some neighborhoods are already precariously close to sea level, as evidenced by projects that have committed more than a billion dollars to replenish Jersey beaches and protect them over several decades. Even climate-change skeptics acknowledge that sea levels have been slowly rising.

“It’s rare that you’ll find someone to say that sea level isn’t rising,” said Jon Miller, a professor of coastal engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. “That’s hard to refute.”

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/Sea_levels_to_swamp_many_NJ_towns.html#CCBF7Yr8GmBlByYB.99

Memorial Park In Pottstown Is Closed Due To Flooding

The Mighty Manatawny has flooded Memorial Park in Pottstown.  Memorial Park is closed and police are asking residents to stay clear of the park as conditions are dangerous.

The bridge between the island and the rest of the park is in danger of being destroyed by pressure from high water and trapped debris.

Berks County Services Center Floods Over The Weekend

Image via Wikipedia

On top of chunks falling off the façade and fluids leaking into the underground parking garage, over the weekend there was a flood on the sixth floor of the Berks County Services Center building that also damaged the fourth and fifth floors.  A broken water valve was the culprit.  Damage is estimated at half a million dollars.  $100,000 went specifically for the cleanup and $400,000 for the renovations the restore the building back to working order.

There are several hundred valves in the building that will be inspected after this disaster to hopefully avoid any repeats.  Good idea!

Fortunately, insurance will pay all but $50,000 of the damage.