Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-01-11
An Impending Flood.

Under this caption, the State Journal
| indulges in come suggestions which arc so
| timely and important that we transfer them
| To our columns. The possibility of a disas-
trous freshct rs the result of the Unusual
amount of snow which now covers the
area embraced in the numbering region Of
the Susquehanna must have occurred to
every rejecting man in this community !;
but the more contemplationso of such pos
sibillty will not avail us anything If we
neglect to adopt the precautions wisely
suggested by the Journal. We commend
the article to the thoughtful consideration
of the parties interested, and trust that
every means may be adopted which can
in any degree tend to protect property now
exposed to destruction or damage from
this source. The journal says
ut may seem like borrowing trouble to
remind our readers, and particularly those
living long the shores of the Susquchanna
river and its tributaries, that an immense
March or spring flood is impending, and
which may even occur before that time.
Two years ago we had flood in January,
after which the Susquehanua did not close
until late the following fall. Eight years
ago, we had almost as much snow as we
have now, and then we had n flood une-
qualled for its volume of water and des-
truction of life and property for many
years before. In that case much Of this
could have been preserved, had proper
precautiou been taken in time but the
people along the river and the property on
lis banks were not prepared for the danger
when it burst upon them. and as Il conse-
Quence lives were lost and property des-
troyed which ought to have been saved.
1.-THE snow at this time in the forests Of
the northern counties is even of greater
depth than in this part of the state. In
is not necessary for us to remind lumber
men that vast difference exists between
that region now and that of twenty or
thirty years ago. Twenty years ago there
were localities in the forests named in
which snow lay until May. The thaw
Was then gradual, because of the dense
shade of the trees, but the changes which
have since been made, leaving immense
open tracts of country, where the snow
accumulates in stupendous quantities,
such as cover so many parts Of tho State
this winter. A week of mild weather.
six days of warm sunshine--on the snow
and ice of Cleartield county, any time dur
ing February or March, will send rush
of water into the Susqnehanna which
would make Il flood of unprecedented des-
tructiYeness. Now is the time to prepare
for such an emergency. Every weak point
along the river must be looked to, and
wherever movable property is stored with
in reach of water marks of previous floods,
it ought TO be removed beyond the des-
troyer that like wild beast, is concealed
in his lair in the north, ready to sally out
and devour all within his reach. a little
prudence, the Judgment to act at once. and
the energy TO carry sound plans for safety
into execution will avert the danger i'm
pending, and preserve much valuable life
and property. But if we are negligent on
this subject, and wait our preparations to
combat the danger until it has burst up
on us, the losses of other portions of the
country by fire in 1872, will be equalled by
the loss by flood in 1873"