Heavy Rains Cause Problems for Residents, Emergency Responders Friday Morning

While repeated thunderstorm warnings recently have gone unrealized in Norristown, heavy rains did come Friday morning and caused a myriad of problems for residents, commuters and emergency responders in the municipality.

Reports of flooding, road obstructions and disabled vehicles kept emergency responders and Public Works crews busy most of the morning. Readers also report the DeKalb Street Bridge was shut down briefly this morning due to flooding on the Norristown side, but was reopened shortly ofter 10 a.m. 

The Norristown Fire Department was dispatched for two water rescues involving vehicles caught in flood waters at DeKalb and East Washington streets and Arch and Chestnut streets – low-laying areas that flood quickly when heavy rains fall.

"We had two dispatches," said Norristown Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell. "None of them required any fire department assistance."

Public Works closed down Sterigere Street from Stanbridge Street to Harding Boulevard for a large pool of water at the Elmwood Park side that made the road impassible. At least one motorist was seem bypassing the road block and attempting to make the crossing, but he soon realized the futility of the effort and turned back.

Rushing waters from Stony Creek were scene rising up the banks and even the Mascaro recycling yard at Sterigere saw a rapidly moving tributary form through the property.

Other related incidents reported by the Montgomery County Department of Safety's live incident feed for our area:

• 9:32 a.m.: Disable vehicle blocking traffic at Sterigere Street and Harding Boulevard;
• 9:59 a.m.: Disable vehicle blocking traffic at East Lafayette and Walnut streets in Norristown;
• 9:46 a.m.: Hazardous road conditions at Spring House Lane and North Wales Road in East Norriton;
• 10:04 a.m.: Disable vehicle blocking traffic at Schuylkill Avenue and West Main in West Norriton.