Coast Guard sending cutter to break Delaware ice jam

The Coast Guard is sending a cutter up the Delaware River in an effort to break up an ice jam near Trenton that threatens to cause flooding if it suddenly bursts.

The National Weather Service has extended until 10 p.m. a flash flood warning for points down river from the jam.

Water behind the jam has already started to over flow the riverbanks, flooding roadways on both sides as well as the Capitol garage in Trenton.

Fern Serrano, a Coast Guard civilian specialist, said the USCGC Capstan, a harbor tug, was being sent to break up the ice upriver.

The ice jam formed about 1 mile south of the Route 1 bridge after the region endured the most frigid temperatures in two decades.

The weather service warned people to keep clear of the river. "The ice jam is an extremely unstable situation, as the ice could break without a moment's notice," it said.

On Wednesday, flooding closed River Road between Lower Makefield Township and Morrisville, Bucks County, and it was not expected to reopen until midday Thursday.

Temperatures were forecast to crest just above freezing Thursday afternoon and to rise into the 40s on Friday.