Flood — Bucks, Pennsylvania

2004-09-18 to 2004-09-20 · Bucks, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy in the upper part of Bucks County during the first half of the day on the 18th. Very heavy rain also fell in the upper and middle sections of the Delaware River Valley. The runoff from both produced widespread poor drainage and creek flooding in the upper part of Bucks County and the worst flooding along the Delaware River since 1955. President George W. Bush declared Bucks County a disaster area. Municipalities and roadways along the Delaware River and the Lehigh County were hardest hit and they included Quakertown, Springfield, Durham, Nockamixon, Bridgeton, Tinicum, Solebury, Upper Makefield, Yardley and Lower Makefield. Around 500 homes and 29 businesses were damaged. Damage was estimated at 25 million dollars. The Delaware River at Riegelsville was above its 22 foot flood stage from 522 p.m. EDT on the 18th through 1025 a.m. EDT on the 20th. It crested at 30.95 feet at 1115 a.m. EDT on the 19th. The Delaware River at Frenchtown (Hunterdon County) was above its 16 foot flood stage from 6 p.m. EDT on the 18th through 927 a.m. EDT on the 20th. It crested at 20.7 feet at 1 p.m. EDT on the 19th. The Delaware River at Stockton (Hunterdon County) was above its 18 foot flood stage from Midnight EDT on the 19th through 836 a.m. EDT on the 20th. It crested at 22.5 feet at 3 p.m. EDT on the 19th. The Delaware River at Washington's Crossing was above its 20 foot flood stage from 416 p.m. EDT through 828 p.m. EDT on the 19th. It crested at 20.12 feet at 5 p.m. EDT. The Delaware River at Trenton (Mercer County) was above its 20 foot flood stage from 148 a.m. EDT on the 19th through 1245 p.m. EDT on the 20th. It crested at 23.39 feet at 731 p.m. EDT on the 19th. Flood stage is also 20 feet. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Dublin was above its 5 foot flood stage from 1242 a.m. EDT through 249 p.m. EDT on the 18th. It crested at 6.08 feet at 130 p.m. EDT. Specific storm totals included 5.97 inches in Springtown, 3.70 inches in Sellersville, 3.27 inches in Perkasie and 3.06 inches in Fricks.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5426520. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.