Flash Flood — Bucks, Pennsylvania

2023-07-15 · near Buckmanville, Bucks, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Catastrophic flash flooding occurred in Upper Makefield Township, resulting in the loss of seven lives. A reliable rain gauge located within the township indicated that 4.64 inches of rain fell during the event which lasted less than 2 hours. Widespread roadway flooding occurred with many roads becoming impassable. Numerous water rescues took place in the township. The worst of the flooding occurred along Hough's Creek. The creek rose rapidly and the rushing water carried away many vehicles, most along Taylorsville Road which parallels the Delaware Canal. Eleven vehicles were reported to have been swept into the creek. Eight individual were rescued from their vehicle and two from the creek. Unfortunately, seven people perished either while trapped in their vehicle or while attempting to escape the flood waters.

The Taylorsville Road Bridge over Hough's Creek was structurally compromised. PA Route 532 between Stonebridge Crossing Road and Wrightstown Road was damaged severely by the raging flood waters from Hough's Creek.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms brought locally heavy rain to parts of eastern Pennsylvania from the late afternoon into the evening of July 15. Rainfall totals were as high as 3 to 6 inches. Catastrophic flash flooding occurred in Upper Makefield Township in Bucks County, where several lives were lost.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.3267, -74.9318)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1101227. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.