Hershey Park, Knoebels Amusement Resort Closed After Flooding In Pennsylvania [Photos]

Knoebels Amusement Resort and Hershey Park, two of Pennsylvania's most popular amusement parks, shut down operations Monday as heavy rains left them severely flooded.

According to a statement from Hershey Park authorities, the park will re-open Tuesday morning.

"Hersheypark is slated to resume operations tomorrow, Tuesday, July 24, as scheduled at 10: 00 a.m. EDT, barring any unforseen weather changes overnight. Please note ZooAmerica will remain closed. Our team continues to watch conditions closely and will post updates here,” the authorities wrote on Twitter.

Officials at Knoebels also said the park will reopen Tuesday, however, overnight flooding could change those plans. A food court at Knoebels Amusement Resort near Elysburg was the only place open in the park Monday.

“It’s our first day. We woke up to the rain, took our time. When we walked down to the park they told us it was closed. So we’re just hanging out at the food court having some alligator bites, just chilling,” said Cherie Voorhees, a visitor.

A flash flood watch is in effect in a number of Central Pennsylvania counties as parts of Dauphin, Lebanon, Schuylkill and neighboring counties were badly hit by heavy rains. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), heavy rains are expected Monday night and all day Tuesday.

“The expected additional heavy rain of up to several inches in some locations could cause flooding in very short order,” NWS warned. Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County is at 1.7 feet now and is expected to crest at 17.5 feet on Thursday.

According to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the highest threat for flash flooding is in south-central Pennsylvania while north-central and eastern parts of the state will possibly have another 1-2 inches rain.

Dave Samuhel, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, said “You’ve had two days in a row of some very heavy rainfall. It’s led to a lot of problems,” Times Leader reported. “We’re quickly piling up two or three inches of rain in places. The ground is saturated. There’s nowhere for it to go. And that’s what’s really led to some of the major problems we’ve seen."

A state of emergency has been declared in Northumberland County with dozen basements and streets completely flooded.

“They (two state Helicopter Aquatic Rescue teams) will be stationed in Johnstown and Fort Indiantown Gap. So far, local-level water rescue teams have been able to handle water rescues but because flash flooding happens so quickly, we are better positioned to assist if we have personnel ready to go when the request comes in,” Ruth Miller, director of communications, said.