Residents of a Center City apartment building received a rude awakening overnight when heavy rain and a major leak forced the evacuation of their homes.
Thirty-six residents of Midtown Apartments on 12th and Walnut streets were out on the street, dogs, cats and babies in hand, in the middle of the night after the storms and heavy rain caused the roof of the building to leak into hallways and homes.
"I opened the door to head out and there was sort of a waterfall coming from the ceiling and an inch of water on the ground," said one resident.
The water caused the electrical and fire alarm systems to short.
Most evacuees were taken in by family or friends. About a dozen are being housed at Continental Charter School on South 7th Street.
Licenses and Inspections says that the building, which PMC Property Group lists as "newly renovated," has more than a dozen code violations. Although what those violations are is unclear at this time.
Crews are working on the leak and the building is under repair, according to fire officials.
