Flash Flood — Jefferson, Pennsylvania

1996-07-19 · near Punxsutawney, Jefferson, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

Widespread heavy thunderstorm rains dropped between 4 and 6 inches of rain and caused near record flood problems throughout Jefferson County. Numerous roads were closed throughout the county and several hundred people were evacuated.Punxsutawney was particularly hard hit, especially along and near the Little Mahoning Creek. A total of 40 businesses had first floor flooding. Five homes were destroyed. 200 homes had first floor flooding and 300 homes had second floor flooding. 3 grocery stores were flooded and stock destroyed, 1 had structural damage. 3 nursing homes had major damage. In Reynoldsville, 30 businesses flooded. 40-50 homes had first floor flooding. A water pump and a dam was damaged. Flooding was worst along Red Bank Creek. In Brookville, 3 homes were washed away. 20 businesses were destroyed. Flooding was particularly bad near and along the Red Bank Creek that flows through Brookville. Local flood control projects in Brookville and Punxsutawney, built to control record flooding above the 1936 flood levels, were topped.All tolled, 92 homes, mobile homes and apartments were destroyed, 311 homes had major damage, 792 had minor damage in the county.Several hundred automobiles were either damaged or destroyed. Seven bridges in the county were washed out and many miles of roads were damaged or washed away. No injuries or deaths were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5574553. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.