Tropical Storm Isaias Wreaks Havoc On Philadelphia Area

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Tropical Storm Isaias is making its way through the region, causing severe impacts, including damage to buildings, overturned cars, and downed trees and wires. In Bucks County, a portion of a hospital roof was ripped off shortly before noon. There are multiple road closures, water rescues, and downed trees and wires reported.

PECO is reporting more than 300,000 customers are without power as of 3 p.m., and the numbers are rising by the minute.

Here are the latest local updates:

• In Bucks County, heavy damage was reported in Doylestown, where winds ripped the roof off of Children's Village daycare at the Doylestown Hospital. According to hospital officials, the incident happened around 11:15 a.m., when high winds caused extensive damage throughout the hospital campus as well as to six cars. DETAILS.
• The National Weather Service is investigating to determine if a tornado touched down in the Doylestown area after reports of widespread destruction. DETAILS.
• In Norristown, the Elmwood Park Zoo is moving its animals to safety as the zoo property has seen severe flooding and destruction. DETAILS.
• I-76 saw significant flooding near King of Prussia in the eastbound lanes. Traffic was rerouted near Gulph Mills onto Route 202. DETAILS.
• PennDOT temporarily reduced the speed on five Philadelphia-area highways due to storm impacts. DETAILS.
• There was a water rescue on County Line Road in New Britain. Bucks County officials said a pregnant woman had to be rescued from her car after it stalled in the water in the area. DETAILS.
• Debris, downed trees, and flooding closed roadways around Chester County Tuesday afternoon, as officials warn motorists to travel only if necessary and advise them not to risk driving through water accumulated on roadways. DETAILS.
• Several roads in Marple and Newtown townships are closed due to flooding, according to officials. DETAILS.
• In Buckingham Township, numerous road closures have been reported. Forest Grove Road between Dark Hollow and New Hope roads is closed; Creek Road between New Hope and Lower Mountain roads is closed; Pineville Road between Route 413 and Ridge Road is closed; and Burnt House Hill Road between Mechanicsville Road and Route 202 is closed. DETAILS.
• In Montgomery County, heavy flooding has led to the closure of the bridge between Norristown and Bridgeport. DETAILS.
• Heavy flooding has hit roadways in Towamencin and Upper Gwynedd particularly hard, with thousands in that area also losing power. DETAILS.
• Newtown Township, Bucks County is reporting road closures as well as power outages, including at the Village at Newtown Shopping Center. DETAILS.
• Many of Lansdale's main arteries are closed, including S. Valley Forge Road, S. Broad Street, and Main Street. DETAILS.
• South Park Avenue, Trooper Road, Eagleville Road, and more in Lower Providence have been shut down. DETAILS.
• Two vehicles were caught in flood waters in Bala Cynwyd late Tuesday morning. DETAILS.
• A driver in Wynnewood had to be rescued from a vehicle that was caught in flood water under SEPTA train tracks. DETAILS.

This is a breaking story that will be updated.

Original story:

PHILADELPHIA, PA — An all-day tornado watch has been issued across Eastern Pennsylvania as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its way through the region.

Tuesday will be filled with turbulent weather as a result of the storm, the National Weather Service warns. In addition to the tornado threat, the Philadelphia region can expect tropical storm-force winds and torrential rains.

The National Weather Service said at 10 a.m. that Isaias was located 130 miles southwest of Philadelphia, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. It's moving to the north-northeast at 35 mph.

Just before 11 a.m., PECO reported more than 18,500 customers are already without power.

Isaias, which made landfall in North Carolina Monday evening as a hurricane, has already spawned tornadoes in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia.

The tornado watch is in place through 4 p.m. across the region:

The highest winds will be in southeast Pennsylvania and areas along and southeast of the I-95 corridor. Wind gusts to near hurricane strength are expected near the coast.

Several warnings are in place in the Philadelphia region due to the storm, which has since been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Here is the storm timing for our area:

In addition to the tornado watch, Philadelphia and its suburbs are under a tropical storm warning. There is also a flood advisory and a flash flood watch in place throughout the day.

The main threat of tornadoes will be during the daytime hours, forecasters said. As far as the winds go, we can expect winds of 35-45 mph, with gusts between 60 mph and 70 mph. High winds are in the forecast through late Tuesday afternoon.

"The area remains subject to significant wind damage," the National Weather Service said.

Here is the timing for the Tropical Storm-force winds:

Heavy rain will impact the region, but most severely along and west of the I-95 corridor. Forecasters expect up to 6 inches of rain, with locally higher totals possible.

Areas of flash flooding are expected, especially in urbanized and flood prone areas.

Meanwhile, PECO said it is bracing for impacts from the storm.

"PECO has been actively monitoring the weather and developing plans in advance for potential impacts to the company’s electric and natural gas system," the utility company said in a Tuesday morning statement.

PECO said it currently has crews and more than 225 local contractors on-hand to respond to any outages and "they will work around the clock until every last customer is restored."

To report an outage, call 1-800-841-4141. Can also report issues online here.