Photos: Sandy Affects Saucon Valley

You can upload local storm photos here. Just log in to your Patch account to upload a photo. (No account? Click "Join" in the upper right-hand corner of the page.) You can email the editor at josh.popichak@patch.com if you've uploaded a photo.

Editor's Note: "Like" Hellertown Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter in order to receive up-to-the-minute updates on weather, traffic, power and more. You can also like" Hellertown borough on Facebook and follow the borough on Twitter. STORM-RELATED COVERAGE:

•  2 Comments
• Photos (99)

slyfox

12:50 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

Funny not a 1 PPL truck among them. Oh, that's right, they were sent to NJ. Paid double time, 10 hours a day - about 1600 bucks a pop. Daily. Ouch. Check your PPL bill and deduct your out-of-pocket costs.   more ›

Major Storm Could Slam Northeast Early Next Week

Will Tropical Storm Sandy hit the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast with heavy rain/snow, high winds and flooding?

Some computer models show that Tropical Storm Sandy could hit the Northeast - including eastern Pennsylvania - with fury early next week, which is the anniversary of last year's bizarre "Snowtober" storm. Sandy could bring rain, snow, high winds and possible storm-surge flooding to the Boston-to-Washington corridor in a "slingshot" scenario, in which the tropical storm (or hurricane) initially moves out to sea, but is captured by the jet stream and flung back to the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast, according to Climate Central's Andrew Freedman. A USA Today report says the storm could hit the Northeast the day before Halloween and it could be devastating. Sandy's first U.S. impacts will be along the East Coast of Florida this afternoon and …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Jenae Holtzhafer

7:17 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012

This is a great resource. It's never too late to be prepared! Remember last October? Yikes! http://www.scribd.com/doc/111166580/Hurricane-Safety-and-Preparedness-Guide   more ›

Township Council Opposes In-Ground Pool Requests

Lower Saucon Township Council members cited stormwater runoff concerns in voting to oppose two requests for variances by residents who want to install in-ground pools.

On Sept. 5, Lower Saucon Township Council members cited serious stormwater runoff concerns in voting to oppose two separate variance requests by residents who want to install in-ground pools on their properties. Residents James and Kelly Sunday, of 2014 Majestic Overlook Drive, and David and Sharon Kuhns, of 1443 Greenwood Court, appeared before council in advance of their scheduled hearings before the township's Zoning Hearing Board. The Sundays' proposed pool--if built as designed--would exceed the maximum allowable amount of impervious surface coverage on their lot by 4.6 percent, council learned. Examples of impervious surfaces include non-porous surfaces such as buildings, driveways, patios and permanent pool structures. Impervious …

• Photos (1)

Ignore a Flood Roadblock, Get Fined?

Do you think drivers who ignore flood roadblocks and need to be rescued should be fined?

Major storms inevitably bring stories of drivers who ignore flood roadblocks and end up needing rescue by emergency crews. Now, Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill that would levy fines on drivers who disregard the familiar warning to "turn around, don't drown." The bill would impose: What do you think? Vote in our poll and tell us in the comments section below.

•  22 Comments
• Photos (1)

Record-High September Rain in Lehigh Valley

More showers and thunderstorms expected this afternoon

A record-high amount of rain fell in the Lehigh Valley in September. The amount was 12.77 inches - besting the 1999 record of 11.57 inches - according to measurements at Lehigh Valley International Airport. More showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Soggy September was preceeded by the wettest August ever when 13.47 inches of rain fell. Lehigh and Northampton counties remain under a flood watch until 10 a.m. today. By Saturday, the daily high temperature will drop about 20 degrees from today - down to a predicted 58. Bethlehem's Monocacy Creek has flooded for the third time in two months and Easton and Forks Township have also been affected by flooding from last night's rain, …

• Photos (1)

The Katz Meow

Dealing with Global Warming Will Be Difficult

Most scientists agree that climate change is real, but don't tell that to (most of) the Republican candidates for president.

You may have noticed that it has rained quite a bit over the last several weeks. I mean that both physically and metaphorically. Just as I write these words a torrent has begun and my poor dog is hiding in my office. Rain is predicted along the East Coast for practically forever. In Texas, Governor Rick Perry’s home state, there was the worst forest fire the state has had in recent memory. The Texas problem is, of course, no rain--and Governor Perry, who doesn’t believe in global warming and says it is a plot by scientists to get funding for their research projects. Oh well. Dallas, Texas has also suffered temperatures over 100 degrees for 40 days straight. The Texas Forest Service reported a couple of weeks ago that, "No one on the face …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

PA Independent

Lawmakers Propose Using Surplus to Fund Flood Restorations

The hope is that the use of state funds will supplement federal assistance.

By Caleb Taylor | PA Independent State lawmakers plan to spend about $270 million in state funds to pay for damages caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. To do so, lawmakers say they will use some of last year’s extra tax revenue, borrow additional funds and re-arrange up to $20 million in this year’s budget. Two bills, announced at a Monday news conference in Harrisburg by state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Pike, and state Sen. John Gordner, R-Columbia, target how this money would be spent.  Baker's bill would establish a state treasury fund from which an additional $10,000 would be given to individuals or families who meet federal guidelines for disaster assistance. Gordner's proposal would authorize a bond sale for up to $250 million …

• Photos (5)

Springfield Man Faces Charges for Alleged 'Irene' Incident

Hellertown police say Jeffrey Scott Wrecsics ignored police commands and drove around a barricade on a flooded section of Main Street on Aug. 28.

A Springfield Township man faces a litany of charges because he allegedly ignored police commands and drove down a flooded section of Main Street in Hellertown Aug. 28, borough police announced Friday. Jeffrey Scott Wrecsics, 26, of the 1300 block of Wrecsics Road, Springfield Township, allegedly refused to leave the area after police advised him that Main Street had been shut down because of flooding and "drove through the flooded roadway," police said in a press release. The alleged incident occurred at 4:30am, in the wake of flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. Wrecsics now faces charges that include risking a catastrophe, reckless endangering of another person, fleeing and eluding, obstructing administration of law enforcement or other …

• Photos (1)

Flood Victims Eligible for Unemployment Benefits

If you couldn't work due to Irene or Lee, you can collect benefits.

Northampton County residents who couldn't work due to Hurricane Irene or because of flooding earlier this month following Tropical Storm Lee are eligible for federal unemployment benefits. According to the Morning Call, benefits are available to anyone who became unemployed between Aug. 26 and 30 or since Sept. 3, provided they live in a county that was approved for disaster aid. The benefit is available to anyone who lost their job because of the storms, or couldn't get to work, or was injured. The deadline to file for benefits is Oct. 14. To file, call 1-877-FILE DUA (1-877-345-3382).

• Photos (1)