Northumberland County was placed on flash flood watch by National Weather Service, a designation expected to end at 8 a.m. this morning.
The flash flood watch comes two weeks after flooding inundated much of lower Northumberland County and a large swath of central and eastern Pennsylvania, leading to a national disaster declaration by the president.
However, this weekend's storms aren't expected to approach the intensity of Tropical Storm Lee nor cause damage like that left in Lee's wake.
"I don't think there's anything we need to be concerned with at this point," said Steve Reiner, Northumberland County's acting director of public safety.
Yet, he did say property owners more prone to flash flooding should undertake proper preparation.
Craig Evanego, NWS meteorologist, said about 1 inch of rain had fallen in the Shamokin area by 5 p.m. Friday. He expected about 1/2 inch more before the storm dissipates this morning.
"There could be problems with smaller streams," flowing out of stream channels, Evanego said. "And there could be ponding on roadways in areas where there is heavy rainfall."
Showers are expected sporadically through Sunday, with the possibility of thunderstorms. Temperatures will alternate this weekend from highs in the mid 70s to lows in the high 60s, he said.
Reiner said he was involved in a weather briefing at 1 p.m. Friday with NWS and learned that it appears the brunt of the storm will strike further east. He was told to expect up to 3 inches of rain this weekend.
But that didn't mean he wasn't reminded of the storms of two weeks ago.
"Of course that always goes through your mind, 'Not another round.'"
Disaster center open
A disaster recovery center operated by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open at 1 p.m. and close at 7 p.m. today at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Eighth and Arch streets, Shamokin. Beginning Sunday, it will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for the immediate future.
Residents impacted by flooding can speak with FEMA representatives, along with officials from the state emergency management agency and other government entities.