Flood waters continue to recede along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River today, but leave in their wake a toll of destruction in Williamsport and Lycoming County, unmatched since the monstrous flood of 1936. Since cresting at an official National Weather Service level of 31.36 feet at the Market Street Bridge at 3 PM Friday, the once raging Susquehanna has subsided slowly, but steadily to 24.29 feet reported at 11 o’clock last night. And with the weather service predicting cloudy and cool weather today through Monday-with only occasional drizzles and possible showers — the gloomy-disaster picture begins brighten.

Cleanup planning is already underway for the city’s West End, South Williamsport, Duboistown, Muncy, Montgomery, Hughesville, Loyalsock and Old Lycoming Townships, Trout Run, and Hepburnville, and all the other area communities stricken by history’s third most destructive storm. Only the 1936 flood, with its official crest of 33.6 feet, and the flood of 1889, at 32.4 feet, ranked higher.

Roads Saturday were reporting more passable, though many remained out of service. North-south travel is possible.

No. 2 bridge over Lycoming Creek was open to traffic on lanes. Route 87 north of Loyalsockville is closed because of washouts. Route 220 between Williamsport and Montoursville remain closed because of flooding conditions at Miller’s Run and Montoursville Bridge. Route 220 west of the City is closed at Daugherty’s Run forcing Jersey Shore traffic to use Reach Road and the Beltway to Linden. Route 220 between Jersey Shore and Lock Haven is closed because of Pine Creek flooding. Route 15 South is open to Interstate 80.