Waters recede in Wilkes-Barre, levees hold

Water levels in the flooded Susquehanna River unexpectedly receded early on Thursday, removing the threat of catastrophic flooding in the historic town of Wilkes-Barre.

A second crest of 35 to 37 feet, which had been predicted by the National Weather Service and emergency officials, did not materialize around 2 a.m. EDT.

from ABC News

Riverside neighborhoods emptied Wednesday as a swollen Susquehanna River threatened to reach its highest level since Tropical Storm Agnes devastated the region in 1972.

Between 100,000 and 175,000 people in 14 communities – perhaps up to half of Luzerne County’s population – were ordered to leave their homes Wednesday. National Guardsmen and police patrolled downtown Wilkes-Barre and other towns, enforcing a 9 p.m. curfew.

from the Times Leader of Pennsylvania