Flash Flood — Mckean, Pennsylvania

1999-08-20 · near Bradford, Mckean, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Between 8 and 9 inches of rain fell in a localized area around Bradford in little more than 12 hours. Rain overnight on the 19th dropped about 3.5 inches in the Bradford area up to sunrise. Thunderstorms developed in the early afternoon and continued to move repeatedly across the city. Before the rain ended, an additional 5-1/2 inches of water fell, causing major flooding across the mountainous area that surrounds the community. Two businesses sustained major damage. KOA Speer, an electronics component manufacturer, lost some $8 million in damage to buildings and inventory. A grocery store in the downtown experienced a roof collapse and a stock of $500,000 was lost. Two hundred and eleven homes and 53 businesses sustained minor to major damage. Twenty-two structures had major damage and 8 were destroyed. At least 10 water rescues were made, but there were no fatalities. One person was injured as he helped an elderly female from the rapidly rising water.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5713878. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.