Flood — Chester, Pennsylvania

2006-06-27 to 2006-06-29 · near Countywide, Chester, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

Several days of heavy rain throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania culminated with major flooding along the Brandywine Basin and moderate flooding along Schuylkill River from the 27th through the 29th. President George W. Bush declared Chester 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 27th into the morning of the 28th. During bursts of heavier rain on the 28th, flash flooding of smaller streams occurred and the ongoing flooding along the main stem rivers was exacerbated. Event totals in Chester County averaged six to twelve 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 Chester County about 700 homes were damaged by the flooding, nearly 300 suffered major damage and four homes were destroyed, all in North Coventry Township. Two sewage treatment plants, one water treatment plant and one business were also badly damaged. The drinking water plants were shut down through as late as the 29th in Phoenixville and Downingtown. Dozens of major roads were closed including Pennsylvania State Route 29 near the Schuylkill River and Pennsylvania State Routes 1 and 100 near the Brandywine Creek. Several water rescues were performed including saving a 73-year-old man from the top of a floating minivan in Caln Township and a motorist that swept into the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek in Honey Brook. The worst damage was concentrated along North Coventry Township on the Schuylkill River and the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek in Downingtown. Hundreds of people were evacuated from Downingtown, North Coventry, East Bradford, East Vincent and Pocopson as several shelters were opened in the county. In North Coventry Township, 156 homes were damaged (four more were destroyed) as flood waters from the Schuylkill River reached the first floor. The Wampler Sports Complex was so badly damaged that it was closed for the remainder of the summer baseball season. In South Coventry Township, 350 homes and businesses were flooded. In Downingtown, about 200 homes were flooded. Businesses were damaged on West Lincoln Highway. Many vehicles were damaged and Kerr Park was flooded. In the Lyndell Section of East Brandywine Township, flooding reached into the first floor of some homes. Flood damage was also reported in Caln Township, East Caln Township, Upper Uwchlan (where March Lake overflowed) and Uwchlan Township.The Schuylkill River at Pottstown (Montgomery County) had moderate flooding. It was above its 13 foot flood stage from 811 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 1008 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 20.53 feet at 215 a.m. EDT on the 29th. Farther downstream in Norristown (Montgomery County), flooding was also moderate. The Schuylkill River was above its 17 foot flood stage from 1001 a.m. EDT through 1101 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 19.03 feet at 315 p.m. EDT. The West Branch of the Brandywine Creek was above its 7 foot flood stage from 810 p.m. EDT through 1103 p.m. EDT on the 27th. It crested at 7.51 feet at 915 p.m. EDT. The East Branch of the Brandywine Creek at Downingtown was above its 7 foot flood stage from 315 a.m. EDT through 540 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 14.38 feet at 8 a.m. EDT. It was the highest crest of the four times the creek flooded since the 24th. The main stem of the Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford (Delaware County) had major flooding. It was above its 9 foot flood from 545 a.m. EDT through 1115 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 13.33 feet at 145 p.m. EDT. French Creek at Phoenixville was above its 8 foot flood stage from 319 a.m. EDT through 245 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 12.19 feet at 530 a.m. EDT. The White Clay Creek at Strickersville was above its 9.5 foot flood stage from 545 a.m. EDT through 631 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 9.56 feet at 6 a.m. EDT. The Red Clay Creek at Kennett Square was above its 9.5 foot flood stage from 344 a.m. EDT through 922 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 8.85 feet at 645 a.m. EDT. The Valley Creek at Valley Forge was above its 7 foot flood stage from 352 a.m. EDT through 938 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 8.8 feet at 545 a.m. EDT. Actual storm rainfall totals included 12.80 inches in Exton, 12.00 inches in Strickerville and 8.80 inches in Glenmoore and 7.25 inches in Longwood Gardens.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5518456. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.