Flooded Roads Cause School Cancellation | News

The wet bout of weather is again causing major problems, this time for the Western Wayne School District, near Hamilin.

This round of heavy and steady rain is causing roads to flood.

On Route 196 near Hamlin Wednesday morning, driver after driver could not get through.

The flooding there is why PennDOT closed that road and other in the county.

"We closed the road down to promote our motorist safety. When you see ponding like this, turn around, don't drown," said Vince Griffis of PennDOT.

The Wayne County Emergency Management Agency said the flooded Route 196 is the main reason why Western Wayne School District closed for the day.

Officials said the road is a main one for school buses to take students to Western Wayne High School and middle school.

"I drive school buses part time and I got to stay home this morning because it flooded on the right and flooded on the left. There is no way out and apparently lots of children flooded as well," said Shirley Chmielewski.

Local drivers were also stopped in their tracks.

Newswatch 16 saw several drivers turning around, some thinking about driving through the flooding and caught two truck drivers braving the high water.

That move is something frowned upon by PennDOT.

"People think they can make it, vehicles stall they become trapped.  It's more of a mess for EMS people because they have enough to handle, and when you see ponding like this, don't take a chance," said Griffis.