Kelly Drive reopens in Philadelphia after flooding due to winter rainstorm

Thursday, January 11, 2024
Crews work to clean Kelly Drive after flooding ahead of new storm expected Friday
Crews work to clean Kelly Drive after flooding ahead of new storm expected Friday

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Kelly Drive reopened Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia after the Schuylkill River flooded the roadway during a winter rainstorm.

The river crested over 12 feet, nearing moderate flood stage.

Storm causes flooding along Kelly Drive in Philadelphia; drivers urged to stay alert

RELATED: See how the winter rainstorm is impacting the Philadelphia region

Now crews are watching the weather on Friday, ahead of another storm.

We put our crews on standby sometime around 4-5 pm right now the rain is coming in the evening," said Rich Montanez, the deputy commissioner of the streets department. "We do have saturated ground a long w trees that fall we will be responding to them."

Twenty city trucks will be dispatched ahead of the storm in part to help police with blocking traffic.

Officials said the barricades will remain out in the area so they can easily be moved into place.

"We do monitor info given to us, the National Weather Service gives us to monitor river levels for us to plan or do our work correctly," Montanez said.

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