Flood — Monroe, Pennsylvania

2005-04-02 to 2005-04-05 · Monroe, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

For the second time within seven months a greater than 50-year storm affected the Delaware River Basin and its tributaries. In all, about 5,715 homes were evacuated along the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Ed Rendell quickly declared a state of emergency and made money available to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management for flood related needs. Many homes and businesses that were flooded because of the remnants of Hurricane Ivan, were flooded again. The crests along the Delaware River were even higher than in September 2004 and were the highest crests since 1955. In many places, it was the second or third highest crest on record for the Delaware River. In Monroe, Northampton and Bucks Counties, about 2,200 homes and businesses were flooded, 40 homes were destroyed. Many of the homes and businesses that were flooded, had flooding into the first floor of their dwellings. About 4,300 people were evacuated, with the greatest number in Bucks County. Shelters were opened in schools, fire houses and churches. Both the Red Cross and Salvation Army assisted with the evacuations and distributing food and drinks. Many major roads were closed. Some will be closed for months because of the damage. A dozen low-lying bridges from Trenton north were closed and damaged by the flooding. Many schools along river towns were closed on Monday April 4th, some also on Tuesday April 5th. The Delaware Canal took another major hit as the Delaware River merged with the canal. Damage from the remnants of Ivan and the latest storm was estimated at $40 million dollars. In the three county area, total damage from this storm was estimated at $120 million dollars. The worst damage was reported in Easton (Northampton County), Yardley and New Hope (Bucks County). Miraculously there were no deaths or major injuries. Residents and businesses found raw sewage that backed into water-logged cellars. Many furnaces, water heaters, electrical panels, washing machines and dryers were destroyed. In many places, everything that was stored below ground level was destroyed. The flood waters dislodged propane and oil tanks. Some basements were contaminated with oil. First floor damage included ruined hardwood floors, furniture, carpeting, vinyl flooring and dry walls. The homes that were greatly affected had their electricity and gas service turned off and in many instances had to get the former replaced. Private wells had to be tested for contamination. The heavy rain loosened the ground and caused trees to be knocked down and carried down river along with waste receptacles, propane tanks and beer kegs. As river levels rose, they damaged the low-lying bridges across the Delaware River. Damage to the bridges was estimated at $1.5 million with the greatest damage and longest closure to the Washington Crossing Bridge between Bucks and Mercer Counties. On April 15th, President George W. Bush declared a major disaster area in Northampton, Bucks and Monroe Counties. This opened the door for federal aid for homeowners and businesses. Persons could get grants for temporary housing and to clean and rebuild their homes. Homeowners and businesses were now eligible for low interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other federally funded programs. In Monroe County, flood damage was estimated at $40 million dollars. Damage was concentrated in Delaware Water Gap Borough, Smithfield Township, Paradise Township, Pocono Township and Stroud Township. At the height of the flooding, 10 major roads were closed including U.S. Route 209 and Pennsylvania State Routes 611, 196, 447 and 715. People were trapped in vehicles on Pennsylvania State Route 447. Forty roads suffered some flood damage with the worst occurring along Pennsylvania State Route 611 from Delaware Water Gap to Portland Borough in Northampton County. About 300 homes and businesses were flooded, one home in the Price Landing area of Shawnee-on-Delaware was washed away. About 770 people were evacuated from resorts and homes. One of the worst damage to businesses occurred to the Caesar's Resort in Paradise Township as the Paradise Stream severely flooded 32 units of the resort and forced evacuations. Along the Delaware River, Laird Technologies was severely damaged in Delaware Water Gap and the Shawnee Inn in Smithfield Township was evacuated. The flooding Brodhead Creek damaged two holes at the Evergreen Golf Club in Analomink (Stroud Township). The Delaware River at Tocks Island was above its 21 foot flood stage from 1202 a.m. EST on the 3rd through 435 a.m. EDT on the 5th. It crested at 33.24 feet at 10 p.m. EDT on the 3rd and was the second highest on record, only surpassed by the flooding on August 19, 1955. The Brodhead Creek at Analomink was above its 8 foot flood stage from 518 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 320 a.m. EDT on the 3rd. It crested at 10.59 feet at 930 p.m. EST on the 2nd. This was its highest crest since July 28, 1969. Farther downstream, the Brodhead Creek at Minisink Hills was above its 10 foot flood stage from 715 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 1044 p.m. EDT on the 4th. It crested at 20.96 feet at 1215 a.m. EDT on the 4th and was the second highest crest on record and the highest crest since August 19, 1955. The Pohopoco Creek at Kresgeville was above its 8.5 foot flood stage from 636 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 1115 a.m. EDT on the 3rd. It crested at 8.84 feet at 845 a.m. EDT on the 3rd. The Tunkhannock Creek at Long Pond was above its 5 foot flood stage from 852 a.m. EDT on the 3rd through 330 a.m. EDT on the 4th. It crested at 5.27 feet at 315 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. The Bush Kill at Shoemakers was above its 6 foot flood stage from 733 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 1022 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. It crested at 7.51 feet at 345 a.m. EDT on the 3rd and was the third highest crest on record and the highest since July 28, 1969. The Tobyhanna Creek at Blakeslee was above its 10 foot food stage from 758 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 1118 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. It crested at 13.27 feet at 630 a.m. EDT on the 3rd and was the second highest crest on record and the highest since August 19, 1955. Rain started just around Midnight EST on the 2nd and continued throughout the day on the 2nd. It fell at its heaviest during the late afternoon and early evening. The rain ended around daybreak on the 3rd. Over the higher terrain, the precipitation changed to snow before ending. Storm totals averaged 4 to 5 inches and included 5.00 inches in Tobyhanna, 4.80 inches in Mount Pocono, 4.73 inches in East Stroudsburg, 4.44 inches in Pocono Summit, 4.35 inches in Blakeslee and 3.93 inches in Mount Pocono. The flooding heavy rain was caused by a low pressure system that moved from the southern Gulf Coast States on the morning of April 1st northeast to the eastern Tennessee Valley during the evening of the 1st, to far western Virginia just after Midnight EST on the 2nd, into central Virginia at 7 a.m. EST on the 2nd, near Washington, D.C. at 1 p.m. EST on the 2nd, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania at 7 p.m. EST on the 2nd, near Scranton, Pennsylvania at 1 a.m. EST on the 3rd, over the Finger Lakes in New York at 8 a.m. EDT on the 3rd and into eastern Lake Ontario at 2 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. The strong southeast flow preceding the low pressure system was able to entrain Atlantic Ocean moisture in addition to the Gulf of Mexico moisture into the system. The southeast flow also was ideal for orographic lifting in the Poconos and other higher terrain. The flooding was exacerbated by the already wet soil conditions due to heavy rain on both March 23rd and 28th. In addition, along the Delaware River, snowmelt in the upper basin in New York State and because the New York City Delaware County, New York reservoirs were already at capacity added to the flooding.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5449413. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.