Flash Flood — Erie, Pennsylvania

1996-09-17 · near Northern Portion, Erie, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

Up to seven inches of heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of streets, streams, basements and low lying areas. In the city of Erie, homes were destroyed and some homes and apartments had to be evacuated. Several businesses were damaged, a wall collapsed at Central High School, basement walls were blown out and sewers were backed up. Roads were washed out, bridges damaged, drivers stranded in their cars, some cars were overturned and some cars were floating away on 12th Street. A number of camper trailers were damaged at Folly's End Campground in Fairview. In Mill Creek Township, most roads were closed due to high water, and some roads were washed out. An apartment building and the Western Reserve Nursing Home were evacuated, six buildings collapsed, basements collapsed and schools were closed. Some people were rescued from rooftops and shelters were opened by the Red Cross. Some flooding of roads and basements continued through the night and into the morning hours of the 18th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5564030. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.