One year later, still cleaning up after Irene and Lee

August 28, 2012
  • Large trees fell victim to the storm, including this one in Langhorne, Bucks County. (Eugene Sonn/For NewsWorks)

    Large trees fell victim to the storm, including this one in Langhorne, Bucks County. (Eugene Sonn/For NewsWorks)

  • Flood water covered parts of the Philadelphia Canoe Club off Ridge Avenue in East Falls Sunday. (Megan Pinto/For NewsWorks)

    Flood water covered parts of the Philadelphia Canoe Club off Ridge Avenue in East Falls Sunday. (Megan Pinto/For NewsWorks)

  • Some trees in Center City, Philadelphia were knocked down when Irene made its way through the area. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Some trees in Center City, Philadelphia were knocked down when Irene made its way through the area. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Some business owners in Southern New Jersey got a little creative with the boards that protected their windows. (Tom MacDonald/For NewsWorks)

    Some business owners in Southern New Jersey got a little creative with the boards that protected their windows. (Tom MacDonald/For NewsWorks)

  • Water levels appeared to loo a little higher on the Delaware River Sunday in Center City, Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Water levels appeared to loo a little higher on the Delaware River Sunday in Center City, Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Water covered parts of northwest Philadlephia Sunday. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

    Water covered parts of northwest Philadlephia Sunday. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

  • Irene's winds and rain severs a tree in half in Middletown, Del. (Sean McEvoy/For NewsWorks)

    Irene's winds and rain severs a tree in half in Middletown, Del. (Sean McEvoy/For NewsWorks)

  • Residents in parts of Northeast Philadlephia woke up without power Sunday after trees fell onto power lines. (Shannon McDonald/For NewsWorks)

    Residents in parts of Northeast Philadlephia woke up without power Sunday after trees fell onto power lines. (Shannon McDonald/For NewsWorks)

  • A building in North Philadelphia that housed a restaurant and apartments collapsed Sunday. Everyone inside was accounted for and was reported to be okay. (Elizabeth Fielder/For NewsWorks)

    A building in North Philadelphia that housed a restaurant and apartments collapsed Sunday. Everyone inside was accounted for and was reported to be okay. (Elizabeth Fielder/For NewsWorks)

  • Manayunk residents saw flooding early Sunday along Main Street. (Megan Pinto/For NewsWorks)

    Manayunk residents saw flooding early Sunday along Main Street. (Megan Pinto/For NewsWorks)

  • A few people stop to take a look at the water levels from the pier at Fairmount Water Works. (Maiken Scott/For NewsWorks)

    A few people stop to take a look at the water levels from the pier at Fairmount Water Works. (Maiken Scott/For NewsWorks)

  • Water has reached benches, nearly covering one of them on the pier at Fairmount Water Works. (Maiken Scott/For NewsWorks)

    Water has reached benches, nearly covering one of them on the pier at Fairmount Water Works. (Maiken Scott/For NewsWorks)

  • Youngsters take in the sights along the Schuylkill in East Falls. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

    Youngsters take in the sights along the Schuylkill in East Falls. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

  • A large cooler can be seen in the center of the picture as it is carried by the current of the Schuylkill River. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

    A large cooler can be seen in the center of the picture as it is carried by the current of the Schuylkill River. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

  • his picture, sent in by NewsWorks' Brian Hickey, was taken four hours before the Schuylkill was expected to crest. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

    his picture, sent in by NewsWorks' Brian Hickey, was taken four hours before the Schuylkill was expected to crest. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

  • This became a common site in parts of New Jersey, as large trees fell onto power lines in Ocean City. (Tom MacDonald/For NewsWorks)

    This became a common site in parts of New Jersey, as large trees fell onto power lines in Ocean City. (Tom MacDonald/For NewsWorks)

  • Some gas pumps in New Jersey were wrapped with plastic for proection from the hurricane. (Tom MacDonald/For NewsWorks)

    Some gas pumps in New Jersey were wrapped with plastic for proection from the hurricane. (Tom MacDonald/For NewsWorks)

  • Flood waters continue to spread through Main Street (Max Matza/for NewsWorks)

    Flood waters continue to spread through Main Street (Max Matza/for NewsWorks)

  • The back deck of Manayunk Brewery is completely underwater (Max Matza/for NewsWorks)

    The back deck of Manayunk Brewery is completely underwater (Max Matza/for NewsWorks)

  • From their roof, college students Joe Schurr and Kerry Gallagher enjoy their

    From their roof, college students Joe Schurr and Kerry Gallagher enjoy their

  • Loose roof on an apartment building at 17th and Fitzwater Streets. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Loose roof on an apartment building at 17th and Fitzwater Streets. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Presumably roof debris from an apartment building at 17th and Fitzwater Streets. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Presumably roof debris from an apartment building at 17th and Fitzwater Streets. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • The Schuylkill River path is taped off and guarded. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    The Schuylkill River path is taped off and guarded. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • People lining the Walnut Street Bridge, taking pictures of Schuylkill flooding. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    People lining the Walnut Street Bridge, taking pictures of Schuylkill flooding. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • View of the Schuylkill River from the Walnut Street Bridge. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    View of the Schuylkill River from the Walnut Street Bridge. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Benches and light posts partially submerged around the Schuylkill River Path. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Benches and light posts partially submerged around the Schuylkill River Path. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Flood waters rising at the Schuylkill River along 76. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Flood waters rising at the Schuylkill River along 76. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Mill Creek spills over Righters Mill Road Sunday in Gladwyne. (Jennifer Lynn/For NewsWorks)

    Mill Creek spills over Righters Mill Road Sunday in Gladwyne. (Jennifer Lynn/For NewsWorks)

  • High waters could be seen outside the Gladwyne VFW Post on River Road. (Jennifer Lynn/For NewsWorks)

    High waters could be seen outside the Gladwyne VFW Post on River Road. (Jennifer Lynn/For NewsWorks)

  • Hudson Howie enjoys a ride in his wagon on what is supposed to be River Road in Gladwyne. (Photo courtesy of Pete Howie)

    Hudson Howie enjoys a ride in his wagon on what is supposed to be River Road in Gladwyne. (Photo courtesy of Pete Howie)

  • A member of the Delaware State Police walks away from a house that was heavily damaged by a possible tornado in Lewes, Del., Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011, after Hurricane Irene churned along the Delaware coast overnight. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

    A member of the Delaware State Police walks away from a house that was heavily damaged by a possible tornado in Lewes, Del., Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011, after Hurricane Irene churned along the Delaware coast overnight. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

  • Teams went out in the swollen Christiana River Sunday looking for people who might be stranded from the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. (John Jankowski/for newsworks)

    Teams went out in the swollen Christiana River Sunday looking for people who might be stranded from the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. (John Jankowski/for newsworks)

  • Heavy rains from Hurricane Irene uproot a tree in Edgemoor smashing into a home. (John Jankowski/for newsworks)

    Heavy rains from Hurricane Irene uproot a tree in Edgemoor smashing into a home. (John Jankowski/for newsworks)

  • The predicted storm surge from Hurricane Irene forced the Cape May-Lewes ferry to head up the Delaware River and spend the night docked in Wilmington. (John Jankowski/for NewsWorks)

    The predicted storm surge from Hurricane Irene forced the Cape May-Lewes ferry to head up the Delaware River and spend the night docked in Wilmington. (John Jankowski/for NewsWorks)

  • A large tree smashes into the Pazdalski home in Edgemoor. It took out the family van as well. (John Jankowski/for NewsWorks)

    A large tree smashes into the Pazdalski home in Edgemoor. It took out the family van as well. (John Jankowski/for NewsWorks)

  • The Dunkin Donuts on the White Horse Pike in Oaklyn, New Jersey was a busy place this morning following Hurricane Irene

    The Dunkin Donuts on the White Horse Pike in Oaklyn, New Jersey was a busy place this morning following Hurricane Irene

  • A storm drain in Haddon Township New Jersey is working overtime following Hurricane Irene.

    A storm drain in Haddon Township New Jersey is working overtime following Hurricane Irene.

  • A downed tree blocks the path along Crystal Lake Park in Haddon Township New Jersey following Hurricane Irene.

    A downed tree blocks the path along Crystal Lake Park in Haddon Township New Jersey following Hurricane Irene.

  • A sewer cover in Haddon Township New Jersey being pushed up by flood waters following Hurricane Irene.

    A sewer cover in Haddon Township New Jersey being pushed up by flood waters following Hurricane Irene.

  • The path along Crystal Lake Park in Haddon Township NewJersey is covered in water following Hurricane Irene.

    The path along Crystal Lake Park in Haddon Township NewJersey is covered in water following Hurricane Irene.

  • Some ducks are out for a swim in Crystal Lake Park in Haddon Township New Jersey following Hurricane Irene.

    Some ducks are out for a swim in Crystal Lake Park in Haddon Township New Jersey following Hurricane Irene.

  • Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett stands alongside Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter after a press briefing Sunday in Philadelphia. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

    Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett stands alongside Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter after a press briefing Sunday in Philadelphia. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

  • Flood waters creeped up towards a gas station in northwest Philadelphia Sunday. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

    Flood waters creeped up towards a gas station in northwest Philadelphia Sunday. (Brian Hickey/For NewsWorks)

  • Downed trees, such as this one in Philadelphia, were common sights in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey after Hurricane Irene. (Peter Crimmins/For NewsWorks)

    Downed trees, such as this one in Philadelphia, were common sights in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey after Hurricane Irene. (Peter Crimmins/For NewsWorks)

  • Hurricane winds from Irene were enough to move this tree out of its roots. (Shai Ben-Yaacov/For NewsWorks)

    Hurricane winds from Irene were enough to move this tree out of its roots. (Shai Ben-Yaacov/For NewsWorks)

A year after a Hurricane Irene ravaged the East Coast, followed by Tropical Storm Lee, the Philadelphia area is still not completely done with the clean up.  

PennDOT spokesman Gene Blaum said of 14 locations throughout the region that needed significant repairs following the two storms, two areas remain under construction.”They’re both bridges – one of them is a bridge on Wagontown Road in West Caln Township [in Chester County] and the second house is on Burnt House Hill Road in Buckingham Township of Bucks County,” said Blaum.So why a year later are the construction projects still not complete?

 

Blaum explained, “Wagontown Road is a complete bridge replacement, the Burnt Road Hill is about 90 percent of the old bridge is being replaced.  The Burnt House Hill Road was an old stone arch bridge and stone arch bridges can be time consuming once you get into the design and the barrels of the arch quite often the damage is more extensive that what you were anticipating.  And actually that happened here.”Blaum said PennDOT expects both bridge projects will be done in the next two months.  In total, it cost PennDOT $3.6 million to repair damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in Philadelphia’s five county region.

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