Steve Sosna

FIRST ALERT: Heavy Rain Causes Flash Flooding, Prompts Highway Shut Downs

Waves of blinding downpours began hitting parts of the area late Sunday night and will continue through Monday.

What to Know

  • Severe storms caused flooding in various parts of the area Monday.
  • Dozens of water rescues were reported in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties.
  • Storms will continue Tuesday though they won't be as severe.

A strong line of storms dumped heavy rain on much of the Philadelphia region Monday, causing flash flooding, travel delays and water rescues.

Waves of blinding downpours inundated highways across the region and prompted dozens of car rescues in Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties, officials said.

An Upper Darby police officer responding to flash floods in the area was almost swept away by water. Fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt and was treated at the hospital.

Several cars parked along Marshall Road in Upper Darby were covered in water up to their windshields, NBC10 footage showed. Police there fished out passengers trapped inside vehicles.

A 13-year-old boy who was swept away by raging water in a Chester County creek had to be rescued by responding crews but also wasn't seriously hurt.

Darby Borough declared a state of emergency due to the flooding which prompted evacuations and closures on 13th, 14th and Tyler streets as well as 896 Marin St. and Springfield Road. The Red Cross set up an area for evacuees in the Borough Hall on 1020 Ridge Ave. in Darby.

Crews in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties spent Monday night searching for people who rented from a rafting company in Nesquehoning but were unaccounted for following the storms. They were eventually able to find everyone and confirm all the rafters were safe.

As a result of these dangerous water levels, authorities forced drivers off Interstate 76 at the Route 202 interchange in King of Prussia. Drivers were forced onto emergency access roads.

Flood waters also poured into the King of Prussia Mall, closing stores and stranding drivers in the parking garage.

I-276 was also closed near Valley Forge.

PHOTOS: Flooding Causes Dangerous Conditions Across the Region

Rainfall rates during Monday's sudden downpours ranged from 1 to 4 inches per hour. 

The unpredictable storms affected passengers at Philadelphia International Airport, which cautioned travelers to check their flight status for delays before heading out.

Train and bus passengers also experienced delays.

A flood warning remains for the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia Monday evening into Tuesday. The river is expected to rise above flood stage to nearly 12.2 feet by Tuesday morning leading to minor flooding.

The storms will continue Tuesday before finally clearing out. By Wednesday and Thursday, the dog days of summer return with high temperatures and humidity. 

MON: Variable clouds with widespread heavy t-storms forming, especially afternoon and evening hours. Flooding possible. HIGH: 84
TUE: Scattered afternoon and evening t-storms possible. HIGH: 85
WED: Mostly sunny and hot. HIGH: 90
THU: Partly sunny and hot. HIGH: 90
FRI: Chance of t-storms in the afternoon and evening. HIGH: 88
SAT: Partly sunny. HIGH: 87

Stick with the NBC10 First Alert Weather Team on air and online for the latest on possible watches and warnings throughout the weekend.

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