Flash Flood — Wyoming, Pennsylvania

2011-08-28 · near Forkston, Wyoming, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Major flash flooding reported. Almost 100 homes either flooded or surrounded by water. Hundreds of people evacuated with two people rescued from the high waters. Dozens of roads were washed out, damaged and/or closed during the height of the flash flood.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Irene brought heavy rains and high winds from northeast Pennsylvania to the Catskill Mountains of New York from Saturday evening the 27th to Sunday afternoon the 28th. Rainfall totaled from 2 to 5 inches over most of northeast Pennsylvania and in the Susquehanna Region of central New York. Between 4 and 8 inches of rain fell in the western Catskills with portions of Wyoming and northern Susquehanna Counties in northeast Pennsylvania and southern Broome County in New York receiving 6 to 8 inches of rain. The heavy rains caused catastrophic flash flooding in Forkston and Noxen of Wyoming County where nearly one hundred homes were flooded. At least 25 roads were closed due to flooding in this area. Many people were cut off and had to be rescued by helicopter. Damages are estimated to be in the tens of millions. Susquehanna County also was hard hit by flash flooding, especially in the northern part of the county.

In addition, to the heavy rains, high winds from Irene knocked down numerous trees and power-lines across much of northeast Pennsylvania, especially in the higher terrain areas and the Poconos. Almost 50,000 residences were without power, some not seeing power restored for up to one week.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.5302, -76.0886)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 345289. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.