ELYSBURG - When the high water of Mugser's Run and Roaring Creek dropped nearly two feet at Knoebels Amusement Resort early Wednesday morning, employees never breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, they did not have time for relief as the weather outlook called for several more inches to soak the watershed that afternoon.
Full-time employees quickly grabbed hoses, rakes and heavy equipment to remove as much debris as possible. The time for clean up was short lived.
Within hours, a steady, heavy rain associated with thunderstorms quickly raised water levels to those not seen since the flood in 2006 and Hurricane Agnes in 1972. By 2 p.m., the main and back entrances to the park were covered with a fast-flowing muddy water. Most cottages within the park, and those along the stream were already flooded by water that had reached the first floors.
Regular season off-duty employees occasionally stood at the water's edge at the park's back entrance to watch trees, logs, lawn ornaments and other debris float by. Not much was said as they seemed transfixed by the amount of water streaming into the park.
By Wednesday evening, it was unclear whether water levels had reached those of Hurricane Agnes.
"We were more prepared this time," said Director of Public Relations Joe Muscato Wednesday.
Employees, including Muscato, were unsure how high the water would rise, but their confidence was high that the park would come together and open in a quick fashion as soon as the water receeded.