Flash Flood — Chester, Pennsylvania

2003-09-15 to 2003-09-16 · near Countywide, Chester, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

Remnant moisture from Tropical Storm Henri produced copious amounts of rain during the early morning of the 15th across Chester County. The heaviest rain fell from Downingtown south through Kenneth Square. Thunderstorms with torrential downpours moved from south to north across the same areas and produced five to ten inches of rain across the region. The worst flood damage occurred in Avondale, Downingtown and Kenneth Square. During the flooding there were 2,600 emergency calls to the county 911 center. Over half required dispatches. There were 100 water rescues from vehicles and homes. Twelve homes were destroyed. One hundred eighty homes suffered major damage. One hundred fifty-six homes suffered minor damage. PECO Energy reported about 109,000 of its customers lost power due to downed trees (from loosened soil) and flooding. Twenty-two bridges were damaged. Damage to private homes and businesses and public infrastructure was estimated at $3.5 million dollars. In Downingtown, parts of nine streets were submerged with up to six feet of water. Both Kerr and Johnson Parks were flooded. The Borough Hall was even surrounded by water. In Kenneth Square, 50 to 60 people were rescued from cars and front porches. The McFarlands Bridge and Chandler's Bridge were both closed indefinitely. In Avondale, about 250 people were evacuated from an apartment building. Damage was not confined to those locations as the heavy rain caused about $40,000 in damage to Newlin Township. The Red Clay Creek in Kenneth Square had a record crest of 14.99 feet at 9 a.m. EDT on the 15th. The East Branch of the Brandywine Creek in Downingtown had its second highest crest on record at 13.56 feet at 1130 a.m. EDT on the 15th. Flood Stage is 7 feet. The creek was above flood stage from 637 a.m. EDT through 1046 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Farther downstream, the Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford had its sixth highest crest on record at 13.72 feet at 557 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Flood stage is 9 feet. The creek was above its flood stage 1029 a.m. EDT on the 15th through 547 a.m. EDT on the 16th. The French Creek in Phoenixville had its 4th highest crest on record at 9.70 feet at 1215 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Flood stage is 8 feet. It was above flood stage from 842 a.m. EDT through 741 p.m. EDT on the 15th. The Valley Creek at Valley Forge had its 4th highest crest on record at 8.94 feet at 530 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Flood stage is 7 feet. The creek was above flood stage from 357 p.m. EDT through 820 p.m. EDT on the 15th. The West Branch of the Brandywine Creek at Honey Brook was briefly above its 7 foot flood stage from 619 p.m. through 703 p.m. EDT on the 15th. It crested at 7.03 feet at 630 p.m. EDT. Storm totals included 8.75 inches in Downingtown, 8.00 inches in East Marlborough Township, 6.57 inches in East Caln Township, 6.00 inches in Longwood Gardens, 4.43 inches in Modena, 4.12 inches in Thorndale, 3.87 inches in Chadds Ford, 3.59 inches in West Chester and 3.50 inches in Glenmoore.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5371968. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.