The Schuylkill River is expected to crest tonight and into tomorrow morning at about 15 feet, its highest level since 1869, according to local authorities. It is already lapping at the Schuylkill Expressway across from Center City and has overrun its banks in some places. This shot was taken at about 3 p.m. today from the South Street Bridge.

Almost a million people along the East Coast are already without power and it seems like a good bet that many of us will be without it for some period of time. We have collected some info on power outages and other info below. Oh, and the State store closes at 9 p.m.

From PECO:

• Customers without power should contact the company at 1-800-841-4141.  The more customers who call to report an outage, the more effectively PECO can dispatch crews and restore service.  The company’s automated telephone system can quickly record your outage, allowing our Customer Care representatives to remain available to handle reports of dangerous situations.

• Stay away from downed wires, damaged electric equipment, and tree limbs and branches contacting electrical equipment.  Always assume PECO’s equipment is energized – even if there is an outage in your neighborhood. Report these dangerous conditions to PECO immediately.

• Turn off and unplug appliances and other devices to prevent possible damage.  Remember to keep one light on so you know when service has been restored.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.  Move meats, cheese, milk, etc. into the freezer to stay colder longer.  A partially full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 24 hours, and up to 48 hours when full.

From the City:

• What should I do if the street floods due to a clog inlet? A: Call the Philly Water Dept at 215-685-6300

• What shelters are open? A: Three shelters are scheduled to open at 6pm today: Bartram, Lincoln & Roxborough High Schools

• Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW): 215-235-1212

• Philadelphia Water Department (PWD): 215-685-6300

The CVS at 43rd and Locust is not the place to go if you are on a last-minute hunt for batteries or water. They do have plenty of over-priced aromatic candles left though.
 

Hurricane Irene has caused some service and event cancellations and closings in the city. Here’s what we have so far as concerns our area. Drop a comment if you have anything to add.

Services:

• SEPTA is canceling service from 12:30 a.m. until noon on Sunday.

Events:

• 40th Street Summer Music Series concert by Viex Farka Toure & Kyo Daiko canceled (originally scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday).
• Mantua Community Improvement Committee’s 7th annual Family Day Festival canceled (originally scheduled for Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.). The event will be rescheduled.
• Street Movies! outdoor short film screening at Milk Creek Playground (4700 Brown St.) canceled (originally scheduled for Saturday, 7:30 p.m.). The event is rescheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 31.
• Rockin it Clean Live show at The Rotunda canceled (originally scheduled for Saturday, 6:30 p.m.). The show is rescheduled for Oct. 8.

Closings:

• Penn Museum is closed both Saturday and Sunday.
• World Cafe Live is closed Sunday and tomorrow’s shows are postponed.

 
It looks like we are going to get hit pretty hard by the fast-approaching Hurricane Irene. Weather folks are saying it could be the worst to hit the East Coast in 50 years.

We are not trying to scare anyone, but high winds, power outages and flooding are very possible, so it’s never a bad idea to be prepared for the storm, which is due to reach the Philly area on Sunday morning. The following information, including the hurricane preparedness list, was originally posted on the UCNeighbors listserv by neighbor Robin who kindly allowed us to re-publish it here. Thanks Robin!

“I grew up in Tidewater Va. Damage is unpredictable. We won’t have storm surge (which washes away homes on the coast) but I believe we will have some flooding as predicted. If your basement gets wet, or was wet in the last 5″-6” of rain I would buy a pump now and have it on hand.

The winds predicted will bring down trees and we have large ones and wet ground. So we will have electricity out somewhere. Some people will have damage to their roofs. I think it is smart to bring in trash cans, lawn furniture, potted plants etc., they will blow around. With our old roofs you might want the trash can in the house to catch water if you spring a leak.

I think it is also smart to make sure the weep holes in your storm windows are clear. The wind drives rain in at odd angles and water might come in places where you might not expect. Hurricanes can spark tornadoes, you should listen to a battery operated radio.

My prep list:

1. Batteries for a radio and flashlights.

2. Bring in backyard items

3. Non-perishable food. I am also cooking a dish or two and freezing them. If the power goes out I will let them thaw and heat them in a chaffing dish. I am going to buy a bag of ice before the storm to put in the freezer to extend the cooling time.

4. Some bottled water, you most likely won’t need it. Sometimes water treatment can
get overwhelmed and you need potable water. Sometimes flooding breaks water mains.

5. Charge your cell phones. Your laptops. Toothbrush:) etc.

6. Put gas in your car for emergencies.

7. Buy a sheet of plastic to protect the floor if there are leaks. Try to prevent
leaks before they happen.

8. Bring in pets.

Also, Robin adds, make sure you have enough medications in case you need them.

Update 2: Tonya Dixon, the mother accused of abducting her 2-day-old baby from HUP yesterday, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child recklessly endangering another person.

Update: Police found the child and his mother at about 5 p.m. on the 6000 block of Kingsessing Avenue. The mother is currently in police custody. No charges have been filed yet. The baby will be returned to HUP.

Police are searching for a 39-year-old woman who abducted her 2-day-old boy at about noon today from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The child is a black male who, police say, needs medical attention and had been in the custody of the Department of Human Services.

The child was wearing a diaper and a one-piece outfit and an alarm censor was attached to the child’s umbilical cord. Police say the child was taken by 39-year-old Tonya Dixon, who is described as a black female last seen wearing cream-colored pants, a yellow shirt, black jacket and a long black wig. Police say Dixon left with the child in a silver Dodge four-door sedan that was driven by an unidentified person. A police source said the mother is “extremely unfit” to care for the child but did not elaborate.

Anyone with information about the abduction is urged to call 911.