Flood in Crawford, Pennsylvania

Runoff from heavy rains associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Frances caused French Creek in Meadville to rise to it's highest level in 45 years. The creek climbed above the flood stage of 14 feet around daybreak on September 9th. The river crested at 16.36 feet around 10 a.m on the 10th. This level was the highest non-ice affected crest on record. The river finally went below flood stage at midday on the 11th. Damage along the creek was extensive. Meadville's Fifth Ward was especially hard hit with hundreds of homes and businesses damaged. The flooding was particularly bad along Spring Street, Lincoln Avenue and Columbia Street. All but one road leading into Meadville had to be closed because of the flooding. Flood waters in some neighborhoods were as much as 4 to 5 feet deep. Over 1,200 homes were damaged in Crawford County from the flash flooding on 9th and the flooding along French Creek the successive days. In Meadville alone, nine mobile homes were destroyed with 34 houses and five businesses sustaining major damage. See the Flash Flood event description of September 9th for more damage estimates.