Flood Warning For Harford, Cecil Counties Issued

As the Susquehanna River rises, the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Harford and Cecil counties.

The area below the Conowingo Dam may experience minor flooding, according to the warning.

Flood stage is at 23.5 feet, and the river was at 24.2 feet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, weather officials reported.

"Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding," the National Weather Service warned.

Officials with the Conowingo Dam advised 17 spill gates were open Saturday afternoon, and the dam is operating under spill conditions. Three gates opened since the morning, when 14 gates were open. Overnight, authorities said it was expected that 18 to 20 gates would be open.

The river is expected to rise above flood stage Saturday night and continue rising to 24.6 feet Sunday, according to authorities.

Backyards and basements on Main Street in Port Deposit may flood, and so may Tome's Landing, the warning states, comparing Sunday's projected height to a previous crest of 24.2 feet on March 22, 2003.

MD 222 is closed between Moore Road and Canal Road in Port Deposit due to high water, state transportation officials advised.

“Residents may want to move items out of basements or from low lying areas in anticipation of flooding,” the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Saturday night.