Knoebels flooded again

Here is a photo of the flood level marker from the 72 flood. That's a lot of water.

A lot of swift-moving, mud and debris filled water. Water at that level will extend across most of the park. Record flooding is expected all along the Susquehanna basin. Swatara Creek at Hershey is 17 feet above flood stage. Weather Channel has some pics of the businesses along Route 39 near the park.

Have they always had flooding problems at the park? Or has it only developed (or gotten worse) in recent years?

Considering that they felt it prudent to mark the level of the flood from 1972, I'd guess this is a regular problem.

Lord Gonchar said:

Not gonna find that happening at a corporate park.

I'd say SFOG is an exception to that (since they have some regular flooding issues of their own), but that's all that comes to mind.

^ People in Georgia have gills and fins?

LostKause said:
Maybe this time the flooding will wash all of the gravel away and they will be forced to replace it with some kind of pavement.

I'd be surprised if the gravel didn't wash away every time it floods like this. That's probably one reason why they use gravel instead of pavement. With flooding like this on a regular basis, the pavement can be undermined and it would cost a lot more to continuously have to repave vs. just dumping more gravel down.

GoBucks89 said:
Have they always had flooding problems at the park? Or has it only developed (or gotten worse) in recent years?

Yes and yes.

The park is in a relatively narrow valley surrounded by mountainous terrain. Back in 1972, there were only around 20 rides in the park. So there's a lot more potential impact now.

Their latest Facebook post: "The waters are slowly receding. The damage is extensive. We will NOT be open this weekend."

More photos have been posted. It's bad. I don't normally get sentimental over things like this but it breaks my heart to see the park like that.

SFoT has also experienced some flooding in the past but really only in one corner of the park. On occasion the mine train and one of the dips on Shockwave will be underwater.

^Andy, I recall being at SFoT when Titan was completely flooded and closed for the day. TX Giant (the wooden version) was also closed until afternoon, and opened later in the day after the water receded. I think both back corners are on lower ground, with the entrance being somewhat "high and dry" in comparison.

But I definitely recall some concern about the Shockwave footers during one of the worse floods when Johnson Creek (?) flooded REALLY badly once....maybe 5-7 years ago now?

Bill, wasn't that during Katrina?

^Rita would've been more likely....and maybe. ;)

I don't think it was Rita. I don't think Rita hit us too hard (though I may be way off). I seem to recall it being more recent than that. We had a really rainy (one of my ceilings collapsed from rain dripping through shingles, rainy) spring about 4 years ago.

Looking at the pictures on the Knoebels Amusement Resort page on Facebook. This one was very bad, Many buildings are very damaged, Many rides tore up pretty bad. Don't know if they'll reopen or not this year and if they do. What will be open?

They put up photos entitled "the aftermath". It's pretty bad.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150780115265551.728369.2...550&type=1

I literally teared up when I saw the carousel, just absolutely heartbreaking. One of my favorite places on Earth.

:( Ouch! :(

Hurricanes do not blow...

THEY SUCK!!!

MagnumsRevenge said:
I literally teared up when I saw the carousel, just absolutely heartbreaking. One of my favorite places on Earth.

That's the kids' carousel. Haven't seen any pictures of the grand carousel yet, but the derailed "Ol' Smokey" train really got me.

Kiddie land seems to always take the worst hit. Panther car track torn up yet again, vehicles on one of those little round and round car rides tipped over.

Here's an earlier update before the water had totally receded. (hope this link works) Pic #9-- doesn't it look like the water is almost up to the edge of the "birthday cake" pavilion? And a bleeping propane tank slammed into the side of the covered bridge.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150779501675551.728262.207828210550