Flash Flood — Clearfield, Pennsylvania

2013-06-27 · near Clear Run, Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Torrential rains inundated the DuBois area with over 5 inches of rain in a 2-3 hour period from late morning into the early afternoon. Nearly 6.5 inches of rain fell at the city's sewage treatment plant, which was consistent with radar-derived storm total precipitation estimates. This resulted in historic flash flooding and closed all roads coming into and going out of the DuBois area. A state of emergency and disaster declaration was issued for Clearfield County and the DuBois area in the wake of widespread flooding. Preliminary damages related to the flooding are estimated around $15 million dollars.

The flash flooding closed dozens of roads in the northwestern portion of Clearfield County and the DuBois area. The road closures included Route 255 (East DuBois Avenue) from the intersection with McCracken Run Road in DuBois City to Penfield, Route 4003 (Mine Road) between the intersection of Route 410 (Shamokin Trail) and the intersection with Route 4002 (Stanley Bottom Road) in Brady Township, Route 3009 (McGees Mills Road) between the intersection with Buhite Road and the intersection with Grant Road in Brady Township, Dixon Avenue, Jared Street, East Maloney Road near the railroad tracks, Simpson Avenue, Platt Road, Clear Run Road and Pifer Street. DuBois City Manager John Suplizio said that the whole city was hit hard but the lower parts were devastated. Those areas include Chestnut Street, Dixon Avenue, Jared Street, The Flats, Pentz Run, Daly Street, Locust Street, Hamor Street, Sandy Street, DuBois Street and adjacent areas.

Sandy Lick Creek and Tannery Dam overflowed which contributed to the widespread flooding and road closures. The Sandy Township swift water rescue team along with other local fire departments performed over 30 rescues. More than 130 people were taken to the DuBois Area High School where a shelter was set up.

Wider weather episode

A MCV and broader mid-level trough crossed the central Appalachians and triggered strong to severe thunderstorms from the central ridges into the Susquehanna River Valley during the afternoon and evening. Very high boundary layer moisture and humidity contributed to heavy rainfall/flash flooding and precipitation loading within consolidating convection. While the deep layer flow and shear were somewhat modest, ambient vertical vorticity just ahead of the MCV and low LCLs aided in the development of two weak, short-lived (EF1) tornadoes in Centre and Perry Counties. Deep moisture (PWAT) values around two inches along with relatively slow, south-to-north training cells and bands produced significant flash flooding, particularly in DuBois and Beech Creek which sustained extensive flood damages due localized 4-6+ inch rainfall amounts. Both towns were declared a State of Emergency. The Bald Eagle Creek at Beech Creek Station surged nearly 8 feet in 4 hours and crested just below major flood stage. The creek officially crested at 13.75 feet which was the sixth highest crest on record. An 86-year old man was swept away and killed by the rising flood waters in Beech Creek.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.1981, -78.7613)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 452901. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.