September 8, 2011 7:58AM © 2011 Jamie Smith

Due to unforeseen weather related circumstances in and around the Wilkes-Barre area, we are forced to reschedule the September 17th Meeting of the Art Waters photography opening reception.  Please check back for a revised schedule.

We sincerely hope our friends, loved ones, and neighbors in the surrounding areas hardest hit by the flood waters are safe and able to get back to their homes soon.  Fingers crossed that the levy system will continue to hold.

Route 92 @ Sutton Creek Rd. 9/8/11 7:41AM © 2011 Jamie Smith

9/8/11 7:43AM © 2011 Jamie Smith

9/8/11 7:49AM © 2011 Jamie Smith

9/8/11 9:32AM © 2011 Jamie Smith

9/8/11 11:07AM © 2011 Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith is a photographer and Meeting of the Art Waters Co-Producer.

Jamie Smith on the Susquehanna River Labor Day, 2011 © 2011 Tom Shoemaker

Less than two weeks ago, my neighborhood of lower Manhattan was part of a mandatory evacuation due to a storm surge from hurricane Irene and fear of flooding along the Hudson River.

Four days ago my cousin and I went for a paddle on the swollen Susquehanna river in NEPa.  That was all before Tropical Storm Lee drenched the area with rain all week – If I were in that same spot today, I’d be under 20-30′ of water.  The river is predicted to crest at 39.6 – 40.5′ by tomorrow (Friday) and it will be the most water in this area in my life time.  The the most I know of was hurricane Agnes in 1972 (40.9′).

Needless to say, Meeting of the Art Waters will be updating our schedule of events for next week after the river crests tomorrow morning.  Until then, hope everyone is able to stay safe, if not dry.

Click here to read the Times Leader’s story about mandatory evacuations as of this morning.

Jamie Smith is a photographer and Meeting of the Art Waters Co-Producer.