Flooding Closes Parts of Schuylkill and Turnpike, Prompts Rescues
There were at least a dozen vehicle rescues on highways across Chester, Montgomery and Delaware counties on Monday morning.
Responders rescue a family from a flooded street in Delaware. Photo via 6ABC
Torrential downpours flooded the Schuylkill Expressway’s westbound lane near King of Prussia on Monday morning, trapping some trucks in its currents and rendering the road impassable, according to KYW Traffic. Additional flooding is being reported as heavy rain continues to slam the region.
Flooding has shut down the westbound Schuylkill Expressway at King Of Prussia. This is a very dangerous situation as the highway is completely under water. All traffic being forced off the RT 202. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/Q1r1y3jth2
— Traffic on the Twos (@KYWRadioTraffic) August 13, 2018
According to NBC10, there had been at least a dozen vehicle rescues on highways across Chester, Montgomery and Delaware Counties as of 10:30 a.m.
As of 11:30 a.m., the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed between Valley Forge and Norristown, according to the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety.
“Traffic being diverted onto local roads which are also experiencing flooding and gridlocked,” the department tweeted. “Turn Around/Don’t Drown.”
Given intense storms over the weekend, the ground in many areas is already saturated, meaning additional rain causes floods to appear quicker. Heavy rain is expected through Tuesday.
Stuck on the Schuylkill Expressway East? Here is the reason why. Flooding #Philadelphia #PHLwx #flooding #weather pic.twitter.com/42WNY01tnN
— Luke Reasoner (@lukereasoner) August 11, 2018
A flash-flood warning went out earlier this morning for Southeastern Pennsylvania. It’s in effect through 12:45 p.m. Depending on where you were, you may have heard an end-times chorus of sirens:
good morning philly, today everyone on the train got flash flood alerts on their phones at the same exact time and there was a LOT of beeping
— carleeeey (@carleyryann) August 13, 2018
HOLY BLEEPING BLEEP I HAD THE PHONE HOOKED UP TO THE CAR BLUETOOTH AND I DAMN NEAR DROVE OFF THE ROAD IT MUST BE WARNING ME OF A THERMONUCLEAR ATTACK NO WAIT ITS FLASH FLOOD WARNING GEE THANKS NOW IF THE WALT WHITMAN BRIDGE FLOODS IM GODDAMN WARNED
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) August 13, 2018
Even weathermen aren’t safe:
HERE WE GO AGAIN….another flash flood at the house. Official hate this summer. Please be safe do not drive or walk into rushing water. So much power.#rain #flashflood #summer #nerves #damage #thunderstorm #waterlogged #meteorologist #cantstopit #deluge pic.twitter.com/h9TpsF8Zaj
— Adam Joseph (@6abcadamjoseph) August 13, 2018
But if unbelievable videos are a reliable metric, New Jersey has fared even worse than Pennsylvania over the last few days. A bride and groom had to be rescued from their car on Saturday in Bergen.
And a Little Falls car dealership watched as cars were lifted off the lot and floated down the street by onrushing water.
Philadelphia International Airport is urging fliers to double-check that their flights haven’t been delayed before venturing out.
