100-Year Flood Prompts Evacuations, Rescues In Eastern PA

PENNSYLVANIA — Afternoon thunderstorms led to significant flash flooding for about three hours Monday evening in Bucks County, Philadelphia and South Jersey.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service estimated it was a 100-year flood, saying as much as 10 inches fell in a matter of hours in the affected area. The flooding submerged cars on major roadways and led to evacuations.

Water rescue crews acted quickly throughout the area as an estimated 6-10 inches of rain fell in the areas of Bensalem, Croydon and Bristol, according to the National Weather Service.

Route 63 and Route 13 near Street Road in Northeast Philadelphia, Bristol Pike in Bucks County, and the Vine Street Expressway in Center City saw significant flooding. Cars on several roadways were partially submerged, and some residents had to be evacuated from their homes.

At 8 p.m. Monday, Bucks County officials reported via social media that emergency responders were continuing to receive calls from those impacted by the flooding.

Danny Freeman of NBC Philadelphia spoke with a Bristol resident whose basement had flooded with at least one foot of water. His house's back yard was completely submerged.

"This is a mess," Freeman said. "But the good thing is that there's a lot of neighbors helping neighbors right now, pitching in to make sure that everyone is safe."

Heat advisories remain in effect for Philadelphia’s urban corridor Tuesday night, and heavy rain is possible again Tuesday, though estimated at a fraction of Monday's downpour.

Here's the local forecast:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Patchy fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 70. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Patchy fog before 11 am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph.

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