Darby Borough officials upbeat but cautious on flooding

Darby Borough officials said Monday night they did not expect the creek there to flood because less rain fell than was expected.

"I don't believe we're going to get the massive flooding that we thought we were going to get. We sort of dodged the bullet somewhat," Borough Police Chief Robert Smythe told reporters.

But, with Darby Creek touching the bottom of the bridge at McDade Boulevard, officials were not taking any chances.

Emergency personnel and fire apparatus will stay in place. The shelter at Ridge Avenue will remain open. About 75 people already were there Monday night, Smythe said.

His biggest worry Monday night was high winds.

Borough officials and residents feared the creek would surge over its banks, but by Monday evening, they were fairly certain they had avoided that. Smythe said weather forecasts predicted an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain by Tuesday morning, not enough to cause flooding.

On Monday, city officials and utility company workers warned people who live in about 100 homes near the creek to leave the area. Electricity and gas to those homes was shut off as a precaution.