Rivers and creeks flood across the Philadelphia area after winter rainstorm
Kelly Drive was flooded beyond City Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard bridges.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Residents across the Delaware Valley were urged to stay on alert after a winter rainstorm brought flooding and strong winds to the region Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Water along Kelly Drive and Midvale Avenue near the Schuylkill River spilled over its banks and was forecasted to crest Wednesday morning and then recede throughout the day.
Kelly Drive was flooded beyond City Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard bridges, with dump trucks blocking Kelly Drive and Falls Bridge to keep drivers away.
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The Schuylkill River rose just below moderate flood stage Wednesday morning and has begun to recede.
The Delaware River gauge at Columbus Boulevard and Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia hit a record high Tuesday night, just above levels seen during Superstorm Sandy 12 years ago.
Local police urging everyone to remain vigilant, and look out for debris and ponding on the roads.
"Even though it may look safe. It is not safe. What may look two inches of water could be two, three feet of water, so if you see flooding don't go through it," said Lt. Andrew Napoli, with the police marine unit.
Heavy rain filled the Brandywine Creek in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. It reached 12.84 feet - just shy of the 'major' flood stage classification of 13 feet - before it began to recede.
Aerial video showed cars underwater along Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Delaware County.
In Upper Milford Township in Lehigh County, video shows crews safely rescuing a person in a car on Indian Creek Road. The road was closed due to extreme flooding conditions. The water was coming from a creek nearby that has already flooded multiple times in the last month.
The American Red Cross Southeastern PA Region opened a shelter for residents impacted by flooding in areas surrounding Darby Creek. Officials were providing care to 10 individuals and one dog.
Flood warnings cover the entire area into Wednesday afternoon, with almost all creeks and streams in flood stage.
Swift water rescue crews were stationed throughout the area, preparing for the worst.
"We have staffing starting at 4 o'clock [Tuesday] for our swift rescue team through [Wednesday] at 4 o'clock," said Manoa Fire Company Chief Michael Norman.
In Chester County, barriers and road closure signs were strategically placed in areas that are prone to flooding in Schuylkill Township and in nearby Phoenixville as well, as water started pooling up well before the worst of the storm.
"It's always concerning yeah, it's odd that it's happened so often now," said Frank McLaughlin, the owner of Fitzwater Station, which is near the banks of the Schuylkill River in Mont Clare.
He's seen his fair share of flooding over the years. He even marked the high water spot from the last major flood from Hurricane Ida in 2021. The only thing spared was the bar, which was built in the 1940s.
