Disaster emergency declared in Centre County Widespread flooding, road closures reported

Centre County officials today declared a disaster emergency as flood waters rose in the wake of heavy rains Friday night, and began opening shelters and closing roads.

Eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 between Milesburg and Bellefonte were closed due to flooding. Traffic was being routed off I-80 at the Milesburg exit onto state Route 150 to the village of Lamar, where it would return to the interstate.

Roads were closed in Bellefonte, Milesburg, Pleasant Gap, Coburn and Spring Mills, according to County Administrator Timothy T. Boyde. Residents in Milesburg and Coburn were being evacuated by boat and sent to shelters being set up at churches and fire stations. Some flooding of homes was also reported in Philipsburg.

County Administrator Timothy Boyde said the waters were expected to crest between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. No further rain is forecast today.

"We're at the mercy of nature at this point," Boyde said. "We have to wait for the water to recede to see if roads are even there."

The closing of a portion of I-80 and water on the road that was closing traffic on Route 322 near Lewistown was threatening to snarl heavy traffic heading for the Penn State football game against Central Florida, said state Department of Transportation officials.

Centre County officials and police are asking residents and visitors to refrain from driving unless it is absolutely necessary. Anyone requiring assistance or shelter could contact the Centre County Emergency Operations Centre at 355-6745 or the State College American Red Cross at 237-3162.