Fire Commissioner Calls Upper Mac 'Very Fortunate'

Upper Macungie Township Fire Commissioner Grant Grim called the township "very fortunate," to escape major damage from Hurricane Irene, but lingering effects still remain.

"I can't say it was terrible. It turned out better than we expected. It could have been a lot worse with the winds," he said. "Most of the roads closed in the township are closed due to flooding more than anything else."

Grim said he's now worried about winds that are forecast to pick up during the back edge of the storm, even though the rains have subsided.

"We'll see how the winds pick up with the saturated ground," Grim said. "That's not a good combination."

Grim said the township public works crew were out during the storm to clear downed trees. He added the lone street still closed due to a downed tree was Mosser Road.

Grim said several residents were evacuated from the Mayo mobile home complex last night and seven people were brought to a shelter set up at a local fire company.

Grim added local fire companies have been busy with calls for basement pump-outs.