To protect the community from loss of lives, property and infrastructure due to high water events along the Susquehanna River, through the maintenance and operation of the Wyoming Valley Flood Risk Management Project.
Using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, enter your home address and see what flood zone you’re in.
Click HereIn June 1972, Susquehanna River flooding from Tropical Storm Agnes crested at 40.91 feet and overtopped the existing level of protection in the Wyoming Valley. The widespread flooding and its aftermath was an absolute catastrophe. The flood inundation area covered 48 square miles and caused over $1 billion in damages (1980 dollars). Over 25,000 homes and apartments were damaged, 80,000 citizens were rendered homeless, 30,000 citizens were housed in relocation centers, 5 major bridges were destroyed or significantly damaged, over 2,700 commercial establishments were damaged, 11,000 people were out of work and over 1 million tons of debris was required for disposal. Several deaths were attributed to the flood and its after effects.
The mission of the LCFPA is to protect the community from loss of lives, property and infrastructure due to high water events along the Susquehanna River. The success of this mission is dependent upon the LCFPA’s continued maintenance, operation and repair of the WVFRMP in accordance with established Federal standards. These standards are documents in the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published Operation and Maintenance Manuals (O&MM) in which the Authority is contractually obligated to adhere to. Annually, the USACE performs an evaluation of the maintenance and operation of the flood risk reduction system. This information is shared with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a levee certification determination for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) purposes.
The Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project (WVLRP), which occurred from the mid-1990’s to the early 2000’s, raised the level of protection 3 to 5 feet and was undertaken to prevent a recurrence of an Agnes-level flood event. In the Agnes floodplain, there are currently a total of 14,153 properties which consists of 12,403 residential properties and 1,750 commercial, industrial and tax exempt properties. The total assessed value of these properties is $1,919,644,900 or nearly $2 billion dollars. In the protected communities the estimated total population is nearly 95,000 residents. The WVFRMP provides flood protection to some of the largest employers in the area and includes Luzerne County Government, Commonwealth Health First Hospital, Geisinger Medical Group, Diamond Manufacturing, Wyoming Valley West School District, Wilkes-Barre Area School District, Wyoming Seminary, Wilkes University, Kings College and many others. In addition, dozens of churches, synagogues and other houses of worship are located behind the flood protection system. The WVFRMP helps preserve the health, safety and quality of life in the protected communities, the continued economic viability of the area and the sustained prosperity and wellness of Luzerne County.