Storms Could Bring More Flooding To Philly Area, Forecasters Warn

PHILADELPHIA, PA — More flooding is possible Thursday and Friday in Philadelphia and its suburbs, as another round of storms could bring additional problems just days after Tropical Storm Isaias pounded the region.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of southeast Pennsylvania, including parts of Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.

The watch is in place through Friday morning, and it comes just days after parts of the suburbs got 8 inches of rain in a matter of hours Tuesday.

Forecasters say "multiple rounds" of showers and thunderstorms that will produce heavy rain are possible from this morning through tonight.

Given the weather earlier in the week, this could spell trouble for some.

"The ground remains saturated in the region due to the recent heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Isaias. This will make it easier than usual for flash flooding to occur in areas that receive heavy rainfall over a short duration," the National Weather Service said in its watch advisory.

Flash flooding is expected, especially in urban and flood-prone areas. Small streams and creeks will also be susceptible to flooding, especially those that remain elevated from Tuesday's rainfall.

Here is the flash flood watch area:

Rainfall is expected both Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, some heavy rain is possible with a half inch expected, but higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. On Friday, another half inch is in the forecast — with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Some showers and thunderstorms could come our way again Saturday, mainly after 2 p.m. Otherwise, expect partly sunny skies, with a high near 85.

The incoming rain comes just days after the tropical storm caused widespread destruction by way of flooding and high winds.

Some parts of suburban Philadelphia got more than 8 inches of rain. In Wynnewood, 8.5 inches of rain fell — the most recorded in the four-state region, according to data from the National Weather Service. Sellersville in Bucks County got nearly 7.5 inches of rain, as did Saint Davids in Delaware County.

The rain also caused rivers and creeks to swell to levels not seen in years.

The Perkiomen Creek flooded to its highest point in recorded history.

The Schuylkill River in Norristown rose to 20.55 feet in the midst of the storm. That marks the fifth highest crest of the river in recorded history, NWS data shows. Waters have not risen that high since May 2014, when they hit 20.84 feet. The all-time record is 25.10 feet in June 1972.

The Schuylkill crested at 13.28 feet at 11 p.m. Tuesday near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The 13.28 crest height Tuesday ties the same height recorded on Sept. 13, 1971. By 9:30 a.m. Wednesday the river's height was down to 11.41 feet, which is still a "minor" flood level.

First responders worked around the clock answering numerous water rescues, as vehicles became trapped in flooded roadways and residents were stranded in flooded homes.

In Montgomery County, emergency responders answered more than 9,000 911 calls and performed 134 water rescues countywide, saving numerous residents from flooded homes and stranded vehicles. The storm resulted in tragedy as well, when a five-year-old was found dead Wednesday in Towamencin after going missing during the height of the storm Tuesday afternoon.

The Elmwood Park Zoo, which borders the Stony Creek, was hit particularly hard. Dozens of animals had to be rescued, and several exhibits were damaged by the floodwaters. No animals or staff members were injured during the storm, the zoo confirmed. See photos of flooding at the zoo here.

In Philadelphia, a barge got loose due to flooding and struck the Vine Street Expressway Bridge, closing a portion of I-676 in Philadelphia as well as affecting SEPTA Regional Rail service. A portion of I-676 in Philadelphia will be closed until at least Thursday afternoon due to the incident.

There were two confirmed tornadoes Tuesday in the Philadelphia suburbs, the National Weather Service said. One was in Montgomery County and the other in Bucks, where the destruction ravaged Doylestown Hospital.

More information on the scope and strength of those tornadoes is expected to be released soon.

The storm also caused thousands of power outages. As of Thursday morning, 36,000 in the PECO coverage area remain without service.