TROUT RUN, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — This week marks one year since remnants of Tropical Storm Debby made their way across our region, causing severe flood damage in parts of central Pennsylvania.
28/22 News went to Lycoming County to see the recovery efforts' progress and found an active construction scene on Route 14 in Lewis Township.
Sale pending for several Commonwealth health facilities
A massive hole was where a bridge once stood over the Trout Run stream before remnants of Tropical Storm Debby left devastation in its path nearly a year ago.
“It’s not what we anticipated. Basically, the last time this village here flooded was 1936," said Lewis Township emergency management coordinator and Trout Run volunteer fire captain. "It is kind of strange to see what we had a year ago and to see the changes took place.”
Right next to the bridge repairs is the Trout Run Volunteer Fire Station. The fire station building also sustained severe damage, but fortunately, they were able to make repairs to part of it.
Utilizing two of its bays, this structure is one of many that is still in the recovery phase, something O’Brien works continuously on with state agencies.
“A couple times a week we’re emailing back and forth between PEMA and FEMA and myself and the township supervisors to stay ahead of recovery," O'Brien explained.
With the damage inventory totaling to around $14 million, he says they learned the importance of planning and the power of community.
“People are thinking forward. They’re trying to build resiliency in their own lives, as well as we’re trying to do it on the township level, and we’re working hard with Lycoming County planning to make that happen as well," O'Brien said. “You know it made us Trout Run strong.”
O’Brien says the Route 14 bridge in Lewis Township is expected to be completed by mid-November.
