Manayunk businesses, residents on alert for Schuylkill River flooding

MANAYUNK (WPVI) -- Drenching rains from Monday's storm and those coming Tuesday have some residents in Manayunk on edge.

They're concerned rising waters in the nearby creeks and river could drastically impact those along Main Street.

Overnight floodwaters shut down about a block of Kelly Drive between Ferry Road and Midvale Avenue in East Falls. A barrier was up to block traffic, but a car went through it, smashing the barrier into pieces on the roadway.

Trash and debris could be seen flowing down the river near Boathouse Row.

"If the street floods it impacts everybody," said Manayunk Development Corporation President Brendan McGrew. "It's not just that single business that's impacted we're such a small, local community."

McGrew said once the National Weather Service warned Main Street could flood, he began making calls to business owners.

"Any outdoor furniture, things like that, they'll move," he said. "It's more to be aware for safety and staff and things like that."

The Isle Apartments sit between the canal and the Schuylkill River. Management told residents to move their cars to higher ground Monday evening.

"About 5:45 p.m., they said the river would crest tonight so we needed to move our car," said resident Joy Golicz. "But I have nowhere else to put it."

The National Weather Service said the Schuylkill River was expected to crest at 11.3 feet sometime from Monday evening to late Tuesday night.

In October 2005, the river crested at 12.1 feet, flooding Main Street in the area of Shurs Lane.

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