Flood — Berks, Pennsylvania

2006-06-27 to 2006-06-29 · near Berne, Berks, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

Several days of heavy rain throughout the Schuylkill River Basin culminated with major flooding along the Schuylkill River from the 27th through the 29th. It was the second or third highest crest on record for the Schuylkill River in Berks County and the highest crest since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. President George W. Bush declared Berks County a disaster area. Sporadic periods of heavy rain started on the 23rd, but the most widespread and heaviest rain fell from the night of the 26th into the morning of the 28th. During bursts of heavier rain on the 27th and 28th, flash flooding of smaller streams occurred and the ongoing flooding along the main stem rivers was exacerbated. Event totals in Berks County averaged five to eleven inches.Governor Ed Rendell declared a disaster emergency in the state on the 28th. In Eastern Pennsylvania approximately 5000 homes, apartments and businesses were damaged. Many homes had their basement appliances and furniture ruined. The disaster area declaration made individual and public assistance possible. Numerous roads were damaged and closed. Even the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Montgomery County was closed. Flooding damaged and forced the closure of twenty-two Pennsylvania State Parks. Emergency responders told people to not walk into flooded waters because it might contain sewage and other contaminants. Many homes also had oil in their basements from ruptured tanks. There was also concern about persons with individual wells having their drinking water compromised. An explosion of mold and mosquitoes was expected in the wake of the flood. Crops closest to the ground were also impacted by the flood and included cabbage, cucumbers, strawberries, spinach and squash. In Berks County around 1000 homes, apartment buildings, mobile homes and businesses were flooded. About one hundred suffered major damage and nine were destroyed. Hundreds were evacuated. The damage was concentrated on municipalities along the Schuylkill River and its tributaries with the worst reported damage in Amity, Douglass, Union, Perry, Reading and Shoemakersville. Sewage treatment plants were flooded in Birdsboro, Douglassville, and Shoemakersville. About thirty municipalities in the county reported flood damage. Numerous major roads were closed including some leading into Chester and Montgomery Counties and several roads were damaged. In Centre Township, a man was rescued from the Schuylkill River after the tractor he was riding was swept into the river. In Reading, flooding reached Third and Canal Street. Homes and businesses were evacuated up to Fourth and Franklin Streets. About 150 homes were damaged. A few businesses just moved and others were expected to take months to re-open. The Community College was flooded. Summer school was canceled for the rest of the week. In Douglass Township, evacuations (100 people) occurred along the Schuylkill River and Manatawny Creek. Oil from a waste oil recycling facility spread into the Schuylkill River and into some downstream homes. Some evacuations were caused by the release of water from the Blue Marsh Lake into the Tulpehocken Creek. Evacuations also occurred in Ontelaunee Township. The lake reached an all-time record high level of 309.2 feet above sea level. The recreational areas along the lake were closed until July 8th. In Perry Township, roads along Pennsylvania State Route 61 were flooded, one home was destroyed. In Shoemakersville, the borough hall was badly damaged as flood waters reached three feet within the building. In Birdsboro, about 100 people were evacuated along the Hay Creek and Schuylkill River. Crops were damaged by the flood waters, especially, the wheat crop. The heavy rain caused the wheat kernels to sprout prematurely, reduced the grain quality and cut its value in half. The Schuylkill River at Berne was above its 12 foot flood stage from 733 a.m. EDT on the 27th through 747 a.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 17.54 feet at 700 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It was the second highest crest on record and the highest crest since Hurricane Agnes in June of 1972. Farther downstream in Reading, the Schuylkill River was above its 13 foot flood stage from 214 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 128 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 23.63 feet at 230 p.m. EDT on the 28th, the third highest crest on record and the highest since hurricane Agnes in June of 1972. The Manatawny Creek at Spangville exceeded its 6 foot flood stage twice. It was above flood stage from 1135 a.m. EDT through 245 p.m. EDT on the 27th and crested at 6.17 feet at 130 p.m. EDT. It was above flood stage again from 618 a.m. EDT through 1221 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 6.60 feet at 10 a.m. EDT. Specific storm totals included 11.80 inches in Shartlesville, 9.26 inches in Stony Run, 8.33 inches in Bernville, 7.65 inches in Vinemont and 5.22 inches in Reading. It was the second wettest June on record in Reading as 9.01 inches fell.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5518439. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.