By Sarah Smith, Assistant to the Township Manager, Hellam Township
Flooding is a major concern for municipalities across Pennsylvania, and Hellam Township is no exception. The township, a mostly rural community of 5,928 people, has several creeks and many floodplains that pose a threat. It experienced several historic floods in recent years: two in April and August 2011 from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee respectively, and another flash flood on August 31, 2018, from heavy rains. Through partnerships with several accompanying agencies, Hellam Township is working to mitigate future flooding incidents and improve the lives of residents for years to come.
Impacts of Flooding
After the August 31 flooding in 2018, there were approximately 20 roads with damage in Hellam Township, which were documented and sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Most of the damage occurred to Kreutz Creek, Accomac and River Roads, which are owned by the state of Pennsylvania. Kreutz Creek Road was completely washed out and reduced to single lane only. Gas lines were exposed, and water flowed freely, ripping the pavement apart. The Hallam exit of Route 30 was underwater and unusable. In some areas of the township, flooding ran six feet deep.
On River Road, the flooding completely diverted the path of the creek, where a culvert had been repaired just the year before. Former Governor Tom Wolf came to the township to tour damage and directed the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to put three temporary pipes in so residents could use both ends of the road. The temporary pipes are still there, awaiting a permanent fix, with an expected cost of repairs at approximately $1 million. The township has applied five times for grants to help fix the road.
On Horn Road, 40 inches of floodwater inundated a house. The water completed destroyed the entire first floor and inground pool, causing $250,000 worth of damage.
Flooding Mitigation
The township has undertaken several measures to mitigate flooding. After the 2018 event, severe erosion to Kreutz Creek caused damage to properties along Kreutz Creek and Dark Hollow Roads. Alongside the Emergency Watershed Protection program (EWP), which offers technical and financial assistance to watersheds that pose a threat to communities after natural disasters, PennDOT, and government officials, the township assisted residents with restoring the creek bed and removing erosion to properties on both roads.
The flooding event that occurred in August of 2018 was sparked by heavy rains, but also by years of sediment buildup in Kreutz Creek. In some areas, the sediment has built up so high over the years that the creek flows nearly level with the road.
The Kreutz Creek Climate Resiliency Watershed-Based Action Plan is working to address these concerns. The plan aims to prevent further risks to safety and damage to properties by assessing the current flow of Kreutz Creek, developing best management practices to mitigate flooding in the proposed project area (approx. 2264 acres of land draining into Kreutz Creek) and securing funding for the project by working with partners including PennDOT, the Center for Water Quality Excellence (CWQE) and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE).
During the first phase of the project, a Task Force was formed, focusing on the area of Kreutz Creek Watershed, known as the upper portion, from Spring Road to Route 462. They met with residents and toured areas known to have previous flooding issues alongside potential engineering firms, and oversaw the execution of several studies, including Hydrographic Data Development and Peak Flow analysis.
The USACE completed a hazard study in June of 2022, and made three suggestions for improvements to flood mitigation, with the most feasible being the proposed removal of 100,000 cubic tons of debris from Kreutz Creek. A request to revisit the study focusing on the concrete culvert beneath Kreutz Creek Road (near Lees Lane) and the buildup of sediment within it was completed in mid-2024, and a report was finalized in September of that year.
The project is currently in the grant application phase, with a goal of securing funding from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Growing Greener Grant program. The program awards an average of $235,000 in funding, up to $500,000, with a required 15% match in funding from the grant recipient.
The township has submitted three applications to the DEP Growing Greener Grant program. Accompanying the third application, submitted in June of 2025, were letters of support from residents, adjoining municipalities, local government agencies, York County government, local preservation groups and legislators.
“Everyone is in agreement that this flood mitigation/climate resiliency project is critical as it impacts not only the lives, homes and businesses of residents, but commerce and travelers in general moving through this part of York County and future growth,” says Hellam Township Supervisor Mike Shillott, one of the members of the Task Force alongside Township Supervisor Nedette Otterbein and Township Manager Corina Mann.
Recipients are generally notified of their application approval by the end of the cycle year, but the process could stretch into the first quarter of 2026.
Flood Recovery
There are several opportunities for federal and state funding available for those affected by flooding.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for citizens uninsured for damage from various presidentially declared natural disasters, including flooding. Funds can assist with housing and home repairs, medical assistance, funerals, childcare, transportation, hazard mitigation, personal property, and more. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or qualified aliens, have expenses caused by a declared disaster, and must first file with their insurance provider before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA reimbursed Hellam Township for $472,000 dollars’ worth of damage in 2011.
When federal funding is not available, individuals may be able to secure assistance from the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP), administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management (PEMA). Funds can help with temporary housing, make home repairs, and replace certain personal items. Applicants must live in a municipality that has declared a disaster and have been denied a loan from the Small Business Administration, unless they receive government benefits from Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP. Eligibility is income-based, and the maximum amount available is $10,000.
What Residents Can Do to Prepare
The best way to recover from a flood is to prepare for it.
Knowing individual flood risk and whether you live in a flood zone or not is the first step in flood preparedness. FEMA provides a flood map tool, and PA Flood Risk provides a specific tool by address assessing floodplain management. It’s also a good idea to have flood insurance, as it is a separate policy not commonly covered by homeowners’ insurance. FEMA manages the National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP) and covers 22,600 participating communities.
Both PEMA and York County Emergency Management provide emergency preparedness guidelines. PEMA offers Code Red emergency alerts, and residents of Hellam Township can either visit the website or sign up for the Savvy Citizen app to receive alerts and notifications. The Eastern York County Emergency Management Agency (EYCEMA) is also in the process of developing its Emergency Operations Plan; Hellam Township residents are encouraged to monitor the township website for updates and planning sessions.
There are several things’ residents can do to prepare themselves and their homes for flooding emergencies. Have emergency supplies on hand and a “go bag” if the power goes out or flooding is too high. Try to always keep your car’s gas tank half-full. Charge phone and battery banks beforehand. Have a plan in place for medical devices dependent on power. Purchase ice. Visit state and local sites to peruse emergency plans already in place. Keep an ax in your attic to use in case you become trapped. Have an emergency plan in place for family.
Flooding is always a concern, but there are many steps residents and municipalities can take to mitigate damage and hazards to safety. Once funding is secured for the Kreutz Creek Watershed Restoration project, the township is hopeful that incidents like the flooding that occurred during 2011 and 2018 will be incidents of the past.
Article from the June 2026 Municipal Reporter | Tourism
