'Major Flooding' Likely

From CHRON.com

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The National Weather Service posted a hurricane warning for the Philadelphia area, with the storm expected to bring six to 10 inches of rain and higher amounts in some areas.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for other suburban Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania areas and a flood watch for much of eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Officials also warned of sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph with gusts reaching 70 mph.

Gov. Tom Corbett issued a disaster proclamation, freeing up state agencies to use all available resources and personnel.

The Pennsylvania National Guard called out 1,500 Army and Air Force guard members to help with rescue missions, sandbagging and other tasks, while another 250 guard members were to be on standby in flood-prone areas.

Forecasters said major flooding is likely in low-lying areas of eastern Pennsylvania, and while rivers such as the Schuylkill can flood quickly, the Delaware and Susquehanna are also highly susceptible although they rise more slowly.

Evacuations have been ordered in low-lying areas of the Philadelphia suburbs of Darby and Chester, and Philadelphia residents in flood-prone areas were urged to leave.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority announced an unprecedented shutdown of all mass transit operations as of 12:30 a.m. Sunday in anticipation of the storm's arrival, including bus and trolley lines.

Seven regional SEPTA lines will stop operations on Saturday afternoon because Amtrak is also canceling service on a number of lines, including the Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg and New York.

The American Red Cross planned to open emergency shelters Saturday night at area schools including Pottstown Senior High School.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins rescheduled Saturday night's game to Sept. 15 because of Irene.

In South Williamsport in central Pennsylvania, the championship game of the Little League World Series was moved back three hours to noon Sunday and the consolation game scheduled earlier has been canceled.

The storm approaches as Philadelphia has already seen the wettest month in recorded history, breaking a century-old record.

The National Weather Service said Friday that the .61 inches of rain that fell at Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday raised the August rainfall total to 13.61 inches. That broke the previous August record of 12.10 inches — which was set back in 1911.

Forecasters say that also made August 2011 the all-time wettest month on record, breaking the old record of 13.07 inches set in September 1999, mostly due to another storm — Hurricane Floyd. But the month isn't over yet — and forecasters note that Hurricane Irene can be counted on to add additional rainfall to push those totals even higher.