Flash Flood — Erie, Pennsylvania

2004-05-22 · near Countywide, Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Heavy rains fell on much of Erie County as yet another band of thunderstorms moved through the area just after daybreak. Between one and two inches of rain fell between daybreak and 9 a.m. In Edinboro, around 4.5 inches of rain was measured at the water treatment plant between noon on the 21st and noon on the 22nd. This rain combined with ground already saturated from heavy rains the previous few days led to another round of devastating flooding in the county. Many streams and creeks again left their banks washing out several roads and bridges. Two bridges over French Creek near Mill Village were washed out between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. Dozens of roads in the county had to be closed by flood waters up to four feet deep. Several people had to be rescued from their homes around 9:45 a.m. after a tributary of French Creek went into flood along Concord Road southeast of Union City. The Mill Village, Edinboro and Union City areas were among the hardest hit areas in the county. In Mill Village, water over two feet deep covered most of the town forcing dozens of people out of their homes. Evacuations were also conducted in Union City and Edinboro. Hundreds of homes, businesses and vehicles were damaged in the county.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5400749. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.