4 Killed In Tornado, Historic Flooding In Eastern PA: Latest Ida Updates

At least four deaths have been confirmed after the powerful remnants of Hurricane Ida moved through Eastern Pennsylvania Wednesday. An EF-2 tornado has been confirmed in Montgomery County and additional locations are being investigated by National Weather Survey teams.

Here are the latest developments on the storm's impact in Pennsylvania, updated at 3:37 p.m.:

• The National Weather Service has confirmed that a powerful EF-2 tornado with 130 mph winds touched down in Montgomery County. Additionally, an EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Bristol, Bucks County. MORE.
• That agency is surveying damage at several locations across Bucks and Montgomery counties. MORE.
• At least three people were killed in Montgomery County as the remnants brought torrential rain, historic flooding, and potential tornadoes to the region. MORE.
• A 65-year-old man drowned after trying to drive his car through floodwaters Wednesday night in Upper Bucks County, State Police said. MORE.
• Residents captured footage of the Schuylkill River's stunning flooding after Hurricane Ida's remnants slammed the Philly region. MORE.
• Video taken at a Bucks County garden center, near where the National Weather Service is investigating a tornado, shows the intensity of Wednesday's storms. MORE.
• The Schuylkill River at Norristown reached record levels. MORE.
• The Schuylkill River was at "Major Flooding" stage in Philadelphia, officials said. Officials in Philadelphia asked residents in flood-prone areas to shelter in place. MORE.
• Numerous water rescues were reported late Wednesday, including in Lambertville, N.J., where floodwaters inundated an apartment building. All waterways were breached, Mayor Julia Fahl told Patch on Thursday. MORE.
• Ida's storm dumped pounding rain across Chester County, leaving Phoenixville and towns along the Schuylkill underwater. MORE.
• As of Thursday afternoon, more than 37,000 PECO customers remain without power.
• In Coatesville, people walked across rooftops as water rose nearly to their attics. Schools are functioning as shelters for displaced families. MORE.
• Voluntary evacuations are underway in Upper Makefield, New Hope and Solebury. MORE.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The remnants of Hurricane Ida inflicted widespread destruction across the Philadelphia region, causing historic flooding, closing roads and prompting school closures.

After several hours of tornado warnings across the region Wednesday evening, during which numerous tornadoes are thought to have touched down, communities in the Delaware Valley experienced significant and dangerous flash flooding conditions.

More flooding is possible Thursday, as the Schuylkill River has been observed at "Major Flooding" stage, Philadelphia officials said Thursday morning. It is expected to crest around 9 a.m., NBC10 reported.

Officials there are asking residents in flood-prone areas to shelter in place.

The Schuylkill River at Norristown has reached record levels and floodwaters are expected to continue to rise Thursday morning.

Hundreds of roads in Philadelphia and the suburbs have been shut due to flooding. The Vine Street Expressway has been closed as well as some lanes of the Schuylkill Expressway, Action News reported Thursday morning.

Numerous water rescues were reported late Wednesday, including in Lambertville, N.J., where floodwaters inundated an apartment building.

In the Delaware River community of Yardley, officials urged residents in areas around the canal to evacuate late Wednesday as conditions became dire.

Meanwhile, many area schools have closed Thursday due to power outages and road complications. The Philadelphia Free Library has closed all buildings and in Bucks County, all government buildings are closed.

As of Thursday morning, more than 54,000 PECO customers remain without power.

In Coatesville, people are walking across rooftops as water rises nearly to their attics. Schools are functioning as shelters for displaced families.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Here is a look at some of the flooding and destruction: