REMINDER — Georges Creek and the North Branch of the Potomac should still be avoided! (If this notice is posted, the advisory remains in place. We do expect it to remain in place for several months.)
The flooding on May 13th caused extensive damage to the sewer systems in the Georges Creek region. Repairs are ongoing and involve multiple failures, not just a single location.
We know this is concerning. All of our partner agencies are aware of the issue. This is a big (and expensive) issue - but the cost of repairs is not what is taking time. The Georges Creek sewer shed is nearly 20-miles with numerous stream crossings. Our Public Works Department and many local contractors have been working since May 13th to make progress, but it's going to take some time to evaluate the sewer shed and make the necessary repairs.
Raw sewage is continuing to enter waterways and flows downstream. While it dilutes over distance, danger levels can change rapidly depending on:
- daily temperatures
- rainfall and water levels
- other environmental factors
That means there’s no guaranteed “safe” zone yet. Even water testing, which is happening again this week, can only offer a snapshot in time—results are helpful, but not absolute.
Please do not swim, fish, or come into contact with water in:
- Georges Creek (from Shaft to Westernport)
- North Branch of the Potomac (particularly from Westernport downstream to at least the Gene Mason Sports Complex)
Let’s keep our families, pets, and communities safe while the crews work hard to fix this serious issue. We’ll share more updates as they become available.
Updates on waterway alerts can be found on the Allegany County Health Department - Cumberland Maryland website at https://myalleganyhealth.org/flood/