PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Several inches of rain not only drenched Philadelphia and its surrounding counties Tuesday afternoon, but caused major flooding issues in parts of the area.
The National Weather Service took in reports of very high rain totals in Chester County:
- 7.16 inches in Modena
- 5.87 inches in West Bradford Township
- 5.53 inches in Marshallton
Several roads and intersections in Chester County were impassable, and there were dozens of reports of individuals needing to be rescued from their cars.
Follow a timeline of the weather as it affected the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
6:14 p.m.
Slick freeways may have led to this crash.
More trains have been suspended, thanks to the weather.
6:04 p.m.
"An incredible amount of rain in a short amount of time," said NBC10 Meteorologist Steven Sosna in describing the level of rain that has caused flooding in Chester County and other areas of metropolitan Philadelphia.
"Some of these areas have picked up at least four or five inches of rain. Some of these thunderstorms produced three inches in an hour."
Sosna said that the storms causing the flooding are expected to die out in the next couple hours, but weather conditions today might repeat themselves tomorrow.
"The sun and that heat today, it was like a full tank of gas," he said.
"It could happen again tomorrow. We wil have to watch out."
5:50 p.m.
Chester County Emergency Services Management Deputy Director William Turner said they’re dealing with flash flooding, thanks to heavy rain in a short amount of time.
"High volume of water rescues, vehicles stuck in the water are coming into our 9-1-1 center, so first responders are definitely very busy helping people getting out of the stuck water," said Turner.
He said that luckily, that appears to be the extent of it.
"It sounds like most of them just need a hand getting out," he said. Most aren’t needing a transport to the hospital."
According to Turner, the U.S. Business 30 corridor is where the majority of flooding is happening.
His advice to drivers was to not even try to drive through any water they come across.
5:44 p.m.
Traffic on the Twos reporter Justin Drabick tells us the best way to get around flooded-out roads in Chester County...is using a kayak or canoe. And he's seeing people do exactly that.
5:31 p.m.
Numerous trains are being delayed, especially SEPTA. The River Line is also halted in New Jersey due to the effect of the rains.
5:26 p.m.
A major flood has been spotted on a bridge in West Caln Township in Chester County.
5:23 p.m.
Numerous roads and highways have bene closed, including U.S. 30.
5:05 p.m.
About 6,700 PECO customers had lost power during the late afternoon part of the storm. Crews were working to restore power during numerous outages centered in Philadelphia and its western suburbs.
5:02 p.m.
Evidence of serious flooding in Chester County.
4:55 p.m.
The track of storms, from NBC10 meteorologist Krystal Klei.
4:52 p.m.
Flooding issues have become severe in Chester County.
4:25 p.m.
The New Jersey rail system is being affected by the heavy rains.
4:11 p.m.
Lots of major road closures, and even rescues, in Chester County.
3:25 p.m.
A new Flash Flood Warning including Pottstown, Phoenixville and Coatesville has been issued - mainly Chester County, but also part of Montgomery County.
2:34 p.m.
"They're not moving fast enough. That's part of the problem." - NBC10 meteorologist Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz
2:25 p.m.
This person in Montgomery County saw how hard the rain fell where he lives.
1:59 p.m.
NBC10 meteorologist Steven Sosna shared the pattern the storms are taking.