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SEBELL1862 · 07-30-2009, 10:04 PM

First of all, let me explain- over 8" of water fell in the Lebanon area yesterday afternoon. What was throught to be a moderate storm dumped more water than anyone can imagine into a small area washing out roadways and flooding places that haven't seen water like this since the early 70's. It rained so hard it shut Route 20 down further east from the track with over 4 feet of water rushing over the road. All this water had to go somewhere.....of course the track was down stream and was dealing with the deluge of downpour itself.
Here is a status update as I spent most of the day at the track answering phone calls and trying to get a handle on things. The facts as the water level went down- most trailers were able to be accessed as of this evening. Even the ones in the outer field that were underwater were accessible tonight.
We even saved a few fish who had become disoriented and stranded!
There is a section of the jersey barrier in the right lane near the main turn off that has been turned over and undermined. According to Howard, the crews are in line to begin repairs on that tomorrow, which I know as a fact because they were meeting with him this afternoon when the area was visible.
The pit area near the fuel depot and the cross over into the field is no longer there- it is a big hole where the rushing water eroded everything away. Tonight, the contractors were looking over the situation and fill will be used and blacktop will need to be reinstalled in this area. Right now, even a good leap wouldn't get you over the gaping hole leading towards the field and fueling at the depot is impossible because of the cave in.
The water was still in the staging lanes, so it is impossible at this time to know what that area was like. I can tell you it was like the rushing rapids last night.
The timing system right now is still under water. The holes that usually house the timing system looked more like water drains today as the water continued to pour out of them. The system is being pulled apart, repaired and fixed as we speak so that as soon as the water goes down, it can be reinstalled.
We are moving forward. Realistically, I'm truthfully thinking we may be operational by the Night of Fire. Howard being true to his word had the doors of the club house open tonight and the place was drying out as it was the first to become accessible. Crews are on standby to get in to clean up as soon as areas are clear. Howard told me tonight if the weather holds maybe we can have a test and tune on Sunday. Saturday is definitely out of the question. Only time and weather will tell.
Crews were still working at 9pm tonight with large pumps to clear the water out of the oval track which was spilling onto the dragway in hopes to move the water back to the creek.
Once again, as the water level goes down, we will deal with the situations at hand.
Thank you to all for their help and cross your fingers as they are calling for more rain tomorrow (Friday). We'll be back up and running as soon as humanly possible.

07-30-2009, 10:04 PM	#13
SEBELL1862 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Averill Park, NY Posts: 3 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Lebanon Valley Flooded First of all, let me explain- over 8" of water fell in the Lebanon area yesterday afternoon. What was throught to be a moderate storm dumped more water than anyone can imagine into a small area washing out roadways and flooding places that haven't seen water like this since the early 70's. It rained so hard it shut Route 20 down further east from the track with over 4 feet of water rushing over the road. All this water had to go somewhere.....of course the track was down stream and was dealing with the deluge of downpour itself. Here is a status update as I spent most of the day at the track answering phone calls and trying to get a handle on things. The facts as the water level went down- most trailers were able to be accessed as of this evening. Even the ones in the outer field that were underwater were accessible tonight. We even saved a few fish who had become disoriented and stranded! There is a section of the jersey barrier in the right lane near the main turn off that has been turned over and undermined. According to Howard, the crews are in line to begin repairs on that tomorrow, which I know as a fact because they were meeting with him this afternoon when the area was visible. The pit area near the fuel depot and the cross over into the field is no longer there- it is a big hole where the rushing water eroded everything away. Tonight, the contractors were looking over the situation and fill will be used and blacktop will need to be reinstalled in this area. Right now, even a good leap wouldn't get you over the gaping hole leading towards the field and fueling at the depot is impossible because of the cave in. The water was still in the staging lanes, so it is impossible at this time to know what that area was like. I can tell you it was like the rushing rapids last night. The timing system right now is still under water. The holes that usually house the timing system looked more like water drains today as the water continued to pour out of them. The system is being pulled apart, repaired and fixed as we speak so that as soon as the water goes down, it can be reinstalled. We are moving forward. Realistically, I'm truthfully thinking we may be operational by the Night of Fire. Howard being true to his word had the doors of the club house open tonight and the place was drying out as it was the first to become accessible. Crews are on standby to get in to clean up as soon as areas are clear. Howard told me tonight if the weather holds maybe we can have a test and tune on Sunday. Saturday is definitely out of the question. Only time and weather will tell. Crews were still working at 9pm tonight with large pumps to clear the water out of the oval track which was spilling onto the dragway in hopes to move the water back to the creek. Once again, as the water level goes down, we will deal with the situations at hand. Thank you to all for their help and cross your fingers as they are calling for more rain tomorrow (Friday). We'll be back up and running as soon as humanly possible.