More than 150,000 people fled rising river waters threatening the historic Pennsylvania town of Wilkes-Barre as floods killed at least 16 people in the eastern United States.
Cities and towns along major rivers in New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania prepared for potential flooding today and tomorrow after days of torrential rain.
A crest of the swollen Susquehanna River, which threatened the newly reinforced levee system in the Pennsylvania town of Wilkes-Barre, fell short of the 41-feet walls that held firm against the water's onslaught.
A second crest, likely higher, loomed in the early hours today and would last three to four hours, said officials.
While skies cleared, powerful rivers including the Susquehanna, Delaware, Schuylkill and Mohawk still filled with waters from surging tributaries.
With buildings submerged and roads washed out, authorities declared emergencies across swathes of all four eastern US states. Travel along the eastern seaboard from Virginia to New York was hard-hit.