PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Bucks County emergency crews are still searching for two siblings, a 9-month-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, who were swept away in a flash flood along Washington Crossing Road on Saturday.
They are the only remaining flood victims still missing among an initial seven. Authorities confirmed Sunday afternoon that five people have been found dead — among them, the children’s mother.
The Upper Makefield Township Police Department released images of the missing children on Monday.
Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer on Sunday called the situation “unbelievably devastating to all the families involved. We are all grieving. However, our commitment to finding the two children will still be unwavering.”
The family, from Charleston, South Carolina, was in the area visiting family and friends when the flood struck, Brewer said.
“They were on their way to a barbecue when the vehicle got stuck in the flash flood event along Route 532. As they tried to escape the fierce floodwaters, dad took his 4-year-old son, while the mother and the grandmother grabbed the two additional children, ages 9 months and 2 years,” Brewer said.
“Miraculously, dad and his son were able to get to safety. However, the grandmother, the mother and the two children were swept away by the floodwaters.”
The children's grandmother survived and was treated for her injuries at a hospital.
The area around Hughes Creek, which is fed by the Delaware River, got about 6 ½ to 7 inches of rain in 45 minutes, Brewer said. There were about 11 cars on the road, trapped in floodwater 4 to 5 feet deep, he said.
“In my 44 years, I've never seen anything like it,” Brewer said. “When the water came up, it came up very swiftly. We do not think that anybody drove into it, that they were actively on that road when it happened.”
Eight people were rescued from the cars and two from the creek, he said.
Three cars, swept away by the rising water, were later located, and no one was found inside. One was about 1 ½ miles from where it had entered the creek.
“We are treating this as a rescue but we are fairly certain we are in a recovery mode at this time,” Brewer added.
About 150 people were searching the creek Saturday night and 100 were involved Sunday morning, walking along the creek, he said.
Appearing with Brewer Sunday afternoon, Gov. Josh Shapiro emphasized the state's support of local rescue and recovery efforts.
"On behalf of more than 13 million Pennsylvanians, I want Bucks County to know that we are here with you, we are praying with you, and we will continue to do everything in our power to lift you up.
"All hands are on deck from the commonwealth to work together with our local partners. We have your backs and we will be here as long as it takes to make sure Bucks County gets back up on its feet."
Shapiro says state officials will be taking a look at the road to see what steps are necessary to make sure it's operable.
Weather wreaks havoc
Taylorsville Road in Washington Crossing, Bucks County was damaged by the weekend's flash floods.
Photo credit Mike Dougherty/KYW Newsradio
The rain slowed the search Sunday, as crews had to deal with thick fog, among other conditions. The entire Philadelphia region was put under a flash flood watch. Many roads were closed.
Flights in and out of Philadelphia were canceled. As of Monday morning, six flights are canceled and 18 are delayed, according to FlightAware.
The National Weather Service also issued a tornado warning for portions of lower Montgomery County and parts of Northwest Philadelphia, which was lifted around 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story misidentified Upper Makefield Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tim Brewer, and also stated that the grandmother had died in the flood. KYW Newsradio has confirmed that she survived the incident.
