When It Rains, It Pours, Week in Review: Sept. 26 - Oct. 2

It was hard to focus on much besides news of an oncoming deluge during the last week of September in Lower Merion.

Starting with a flood watch and escalating to several emergency weather alerts issued throughout the week, Tropical Storm Nicole dropped 4-6 inches of rain over the area from Wednesday, Sept. 29 to Friday, Oct. 1. While the damage from Ardmore to Merion was for the most part isolated to some fallen trees and minor flooding, the storm levied much more damage in other parts of the surrounding area, including taking five lives in North Carolina.

Before Nicole struck, the Ardmore area was put on tornado alert on Tuesday, Sept. 28 in a separate storm that pushed through the East Coast. No tornado touched down in the area, but rain and high winds set the mood for the drenching that occurred two days later. 

The biggest non-weather related story was the kick off of the "budget analysis" season for the township government. The Lower Merion Board of Commissioners began to debate how much taxpayer money to spend and on what. Township Manager Doug Cleland gave an extensive report on vacant township staff positions and their effect on service levels. The first draft of a completed budget is due out on Oct. 29.

Entertainment in town was provided by local favorite First Friday Main Line, back for the beginning of October. This month's First Friday featured a Halloween costume contest for dogs, pumpkin carving and live music.

The last item of note, but certainly not the least, Ardmore started this week by saying goodbye to beloved Ardmore Library Head Librarian Peggy Newman in a special ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 26. Newman is retiring after 20 years in the position.