Flood — Montgomery, Pennsylvania

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

Wider weather episode

Several days of heavy rain throughout the Schuylkill River Basin culminated with moderate flooding along the Schuylkill River and its tributaries from the 27th through the 29th. President George W. Bush declared Montgomery 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. Even heavier rain fell farther upstream in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. 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 Montgomery County averaged five to nine 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. 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 Montgomery County, about 500 homes, multi-family buildings and businesses were damaged by flood waters. About two dozen suffered major damage. The worst business and multi-family flood damage was in Pottstown and the worst single family home flood damage was in Norristown. The Nearly 50 people were rescued from flood waters, some from totally submerged vehicles. Over 1000 people were evacuated from Bridgeport, West Norriton, Norristown, Lower Providence and Pottstown, mainly because of Schuylkill River flooding. Nearly 30 major roads were closed, even part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Pennsylvania State Route 29. Bridges to Chester and Berks County over the Schuylkill River were closed. Whitemarsh Township had the most road closures with nine. There were still nearly a dozen roads closed throughout the county on the 29th. The R6 SEPTA Commuter Rail Line was under water. The drinking water plant in East Greenville Borough was closed. Four parks in the county were also damaged by flood waters. Pottstown had the largest number of damaged homes and businesses (about 150) in the county as it was affected by flooding from both the Manatawny Creek and Schuylkill River. Several major roadways and bridges in the borough were closed including Walnut, High and Hanover Streets. Because of the flooding of Memorial Park, many of the Independence Day activities were moved from the park and rescheduled for a later day. Montgomery County Community College was closed on the 28th. Norristown had the second largest (about 100) number of homes and businesses damaged in the county. The wastewater treatment plant was taken off line until the 29th. Upper Providence Township had the third greatest (about 50) homes and businesses damaged in the county. In West Norriton Township, a 310 unit apartment complex was evacuated along the Schuylkill River. Farther downstream in Conshohocken Borough, sixteen businesses and apartment buildings were evacuated and included the Eight Tower Bridge Office Building. Municipalities in the county affected by the flooding included Abington, Bridgeport, Conshohocken, Hatboro, Hatfield, Limerick, Lower Moreland, Lower Providence, Norristown, Perkiomen, Pottstown, Royersford, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Upper Providence, West Conshohocken, West Norriton and Whitemarsh. The Schuylkill River at Pottstown 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 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 Manatawny Creek in Pottstown was above its 6 foot flood stage from 1 a.m. EDT through 149 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 8.11 feet at 415 a.m. EDT. The West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Hillegass was above its 5 foot flood stage from 455 a.m. EDT through 715 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 5.17 feet at 545 a.m. EDT. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Schwenksville was above its 7 foot flood stage from 441 a.m. EDT through 402 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 12.18 feet at 1230 p.m. EDT. This was the highest crest of the three times the creek flooded during the past four days. The main stem of the Perkiomen Creek at East Greenville was above its 4 foot flood stage from 425 a.m. EDT through 1207 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Farther downstream in Graterford, the Perkiomen Creek had moderate flooding and was above its 11 foot flood stage from 540 a.m. EDT through 449 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 13.68 feet at 115 p.m. EDT. It crested at 6.02 feet at 9 a.m. EDT. The Wissahickon Creek at Fort Washington was above its 9 foot flood stage from 426 a.m. EDT through 1239 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 13.33 feet 845 a.m. EDT. Actual storm rainfall totals included 8.49 inches at the Pottstown Airport, 7.80 inches in Graterford and 6.90 inches in Palm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5518463. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.