Flash Flood — Sullivan, Pennsylvania

2011-08-28 · near Colley, Sullivan, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Heavy tropical rainfall from Hurricane Irene produced catastrophic flash flooding, with portions of the county receiving up to 6 inches of rain. Flood waters closed all major roads and caused evacuations of homes and businesses in Lopez (Colley Township), Mildred (Cherry Township), Dushore Borough, Laporte Borough, Forks Township, Forksville Borough and Hillsgrove Township. Unprecedented flooding in Lopez caused the the bridge that carries PA 487 over Loyalsock Creek to collapse. This greatly impacted water rescue efforts, increasing response time to 40 minutes despite the local fire and EMS department being only 3 miles from the town of Lopez. A multi-family along PA 487 was totally surrounded by water. The building, which experienced significant flooding back in April, was condemned leaving 10 homeless. Another single-family home lost its foundation due to fast-moving flood waters. Several cabins were were damaged/destroyed by high water along Rock Run Road in Forks Township. Several other homes sustained major damage in Cherry and Colley Townships. Major flooding impacted downtown Dushore for a second time, following the April 26 flash flood event which caused over 2 million in damages. A presidential disaster declaration was issued for the county.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Irene moved north-northeast along the Mid-Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Long Island New York. The tropical system produced extensive flooding and strong damaging winds over from the Endless Mountain region of Sullivan County southward to the lower Susquehanna Valley, with heavy rainfall amounts generally between 2 to 4 inches and several reports of non-thunderstorm wind damage. Localized 5 to 6 inch rainfall totals were also observed. Despite the widespread heavy rainfall, the most significant flooding was primarily confined to faster-responding, smaller waterways such as the Conestoga River and Loyalsock Creek as well as low-lying and poor drainage areas. Flood waters closed numerous secondary roads and washed out several small bridges. The strong winds with peak gusts over tropical storm-force downed trees and utility wires, leaving thousands of residents without power. One tree fell on a 59-year old man and 56-year old woman who were camping in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County. The man was killed but the woman survived and sustained a serious head injury.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 330001. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.