Flash Flood — Luzerne, Pennsylvania

2011-07-03 to 2011-07-04 · near Larksville, Luzerne, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Well over 200 homes and businesses were affected by flooding from heavy rains over the Coal Creek basin. Video captured by local residents showed significant damage occurring to infrastructure and homes, with torrents of water flushing down area roadways.

Wider weather episode

Torrential rains from slow-moving thunderstorms occurred at multiple times during the day, with events early in the morning, during the mid afternoon and early evening hours in Plymouth Borough. The rains fell over the Coal Creek basin, causing the creek to rapidly exceed its banks and flood portions of the borough. Storm total radar estimates indicated 5 to 6 inches for the combined events. A bucket survey, solicited by the NWS via local broadcast meteorologists, was able to obtain several measured and estimated rainfall totals from the evening event. These amounts ranged from 4.5 to 5.0 inches, and eyewitnesses reported that these amounts occurred within 90 minutes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.2400, -75.9500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 336473. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.