SHAMOKIN - All seemed contained and a bit subdued around 12:30 a.m. Thursday when I arrived at 4 S. Shamokin St., finally home from a busy night at the paper. The Shamokin Creek, near Rock and Chestnuts streets, which I had checked on earlier in the afternoon, seemed to have subsided from its previous threatening state and, aside from some kids splashing around and fire trucks aligned on the streets ensuring public safety, all seemed well.
That didn't last long. As my neighbor and I sat on the front porch facing Shamokin Street, the rain changed from steady to torrential. After a check of the basement, we found only a few inches of water in one corner; the relief was coupled with a side of dread for what may come if the rain continued at the rate it was falling.
Others in the neighborhood were not so lucky. Several neighbors stopped and shared their gripes. One's freezer was floating around the basement. Another was soaked almost to the waist from a trek down Rock Street in an attempt to check on his grandmother. A young couple gathered their young child and their dog and headed to grandma's, thanking water from the basement now rushing into their kitchen for their departure. Handfuls of families close by were being evacuated as the creek, which had already swallowed the south end of Rock Street, grew closer, encompassing side streets, and eventually making its way onto the full stretch of South Shamokin Street around 1:30 a.m.
My neighbor and I watched and offered temporary shelter on the front porch as folks gathered up essentials and each other and headed for higher ground, including a shelter that was set up at the CareerLink building at Eighth and Arch streets. There was a report that 75 people showed up there. Some trudged through the now ankle-deep water carrying laundry baskets and garbage bags; others were lucky enough to hitch a ride with emergency personnel. Our very considerate landlord stopped to check on our safety and our now substantially flooded basement. At this point, it was all a matter of "What can you do? You just have to wait it out."
But the lake that had now formed from the overflowed banks was fast approaching. It was only a matter of time before the yard and patio would be part of Shamokin Creek's new home raging down the streets of the Fifth Ward.
And then around 2:30 a.m., the rain slowed to a annoying drizzle, and, content that the worst was over, my friend and I both headed to our respective homes and called it a night - still anxious of what we would face in the morning.
As I dozed off at around 3 a.m., I heard a ruckus. Yes. It sounded like my plastic garbage can hitting against my wrought iron fence. And that it was.
As I approached the back door that leads to the patio and yard, I could already hear the roar of the creek coupled with a not-so-lovely odor of creek water, mixed with fuel, mixed with sewage wafting in through the window. Not pleasant, to say the least, but not the main concern.
At about 4:15 a.m. the water had now taken mine and my adjacent neighbors' yard. I immediately checked the front of the building and, sure enough, Shamokin Street was now Shamokin Creek. Fire truck lights illuminated strong currents as firefighters and EMS - for sure AREA Services and Friendship Fire Company, but probably others - who had already gone above and beyond being helpful in miserable conditions - escorted shaken-up residents from their home to safer pastures.
My neighbor rejoined me on the front porch after my panicked phone call about the water entering the main floor of the building woke her. We again watched Shamokin Street as if it were some kind of bizarre movie. Rumors of a gas leak added to growing concern for our safety. Kind souls stopped and asked if we needed anything - one even moved my neighbor's vehicle for her - while other, more ignorant types, sped down the street at a high enough rate of speed to create waves, soaking innocent residents on the sidewalks. A few kids rode bikes, some even played kickball with a beach ball. It was a very peculiar night in the Fifth Ward - and not in way we're used to the Fifth Ward being peculiar.
By 6:35, the rain had come to a complete halt and daylight saw a strangely serene beauty in the remnants of the night's events. The lake that had taken over Chestnut Street in front of the Friendship Fire Company looked kind of peaceful against the sunrise, but maybe that was just my delirium from lack of sleep.
With the exception of a few rotten ignoramuses, neighbors - most who were strangers - friends, landlords and volunteers all came together and everyone made it through the storm. At least so far.