Violent Storm Damages Homes, Causes Flooding

A powerful storm ripped through the region, damaging homes and causing flooding in several areas.

A Tornado Warning was issued for Northern New Castle County in Delaware and was in effect until 5:15 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado moved Northeast through the area at 30 mph.

An NBC10 viewer also sent in a picture of what appears to be a funnel cloud that was spotted in Delaware during the storm.

According to the National Weather Service, large trees fell on 10 to 20 homes, causing heavy damage between Glasgow and Newark along Routes 72 and 4. There are no reported injuries however.

"I laid down on the floor and then I looked and I saw the tree coming through the house," said Peggy Boyle, a Newark resident. "I just screamed."

Photo Credit: Amy Drennan

Ambler Sudler says if she and her four children were inside their Newark, Delaware home, they would have been sitting right where a tree crashed into their living room.

"Thank God everyone is okay," she said. "I'm just in shock right now." 

The Red Cross will shelter those who have nowhere to go.

A tornado watch was also issued for Philadelphia down to the Jersey Shore (including Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic and Cape May counties) and for all of Delaware. The watch expired at 10 p.m. for all of the areas except for Delaware. In Delaware, the Tornado Watch expired at midnight. Delmarva reports that 951 customers are currently without power. The National Weather Service also issued a flood watch for all of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley as well as parts of the Poconos.

The storm caused flooding in several parts of the region, including I-76 eastbound near Route 202, Lakewood, New Jersey and East Norriton, Montgomery County. Minor flooding was also reported along the east branch of the Brandywine Creek below Downingtown in Chester County.

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A large tree also fell on top of two cars on the 400 block of Hermit Street in Manayunk. The heavy rain also led to a mudslide which caused a wall to collapse in the Bella Vista section of the city.

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The watch means that conditions are favorable for some tornados to develop in some areas.

"This is the time of year that if there is going to be something (meaning tornados), it will be late May and early June," said Schwartz. "However the threat is moreso damaging winds than a tornado touching down."

Hurricane reports: There will be more storms developing even if we start to dry out. Showers will taper to a drizzle later tonight. The next two days will be much drier until a heavy rain system comes in on Thursday. 

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