A series of low pressure systems that moved north along a slowly moving cold front brought heavy rain into Eastern Pennsylvania on September 30th and October 1st. Event precipitation totals average 5 to 10 inches with the highest amounts in the Philadelphia western suburbs. Many streams and rivers flooded, but the worst flooding occurred in Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties where waterways crested at moderate to major levels. For many gaged waterways, it was the worst flooding since June of 2006. Around Delaware County it was described as the worst flooding since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The first round of heavy rain occurred during the early morning of September 30th, but extremely dry antecedent soil conditions were able to absorb most of the heavy rain and mainly just poor drainage flooding occurred. The second and heavier round of precipitation moved in during the evening of September 30th and continued into the morning of October 1st. The rain ended during the morning of October 1st.
A low pressure system formed along a stationary front off the Carolina Coast during the night of September 29th. At 8 a.m. EDT on September 30th, it moved into central North Carolina and continued to move north.  The low slowly weakened as it moved north and reached Pennsylvania on the evening of September 30th. Another low pressure system formed off the Carolina coast during the late morning of September 30th. This low was able to ingest tropical moisture associated with dissipating Tropical Storm Nicole. At 8 p.m. EDT on the 30th, the low pressure system moved north into eastern North Carolina and at 2 a.m. EDT on October 1st, it moved into the Delmarva Peninsula. At 8 a.m. EDT on October 1st, the low pressure system was just east of Atlantic City on its way to passing through eastern Long Island during the afternoon of October 1st.

Flood in LEHIGH, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 03:32:00 to 01-OCT-10 13:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: MACUNGIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Little Lehigh Creek at Allentown was above its 6 foot flood  stage from 432 a.m. EDT through 954 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested  at 6.92 feet at 745 a.m. EDT.  The Lehigh River at Walnutport along the Lehigh and Northampton County line was above its 8 foot flood  stage from 446 a.m. EDT through 218 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested
at 9.11 feet at 1015 a.m. EDT.
Precipitation totals included 8.08 inches at the Lehigh Valley International Airport. 7.26 inches in Chapman and 5.59 inches in Schnecksville.

Flood in CARBON, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 03:25:00 to 01-OCT-10 12:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOWMANSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Aquashicola Creek at Palmerton was above its 7 foot flood stage from 1040 a.m. EDT through 142 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 7.26 feet at 1230 p.m. EDT.   The Tobyhanna Creek at Blakeslee along the Carbon and Monroe County line was above its 10 foot flood stage from 425 a.m. EDT through 930 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 10.33 feet at 615 a.m. EDT.
Precipitation totals included 9.44 inches in Jim Thorpe, 7.96 inches in Lehighton and 7.42 inches in Palmerton.

Flood in MONROE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 00:00:00 to 01-OCT-10 08:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: FERNRIDGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Lehigh River at Stoddartsville had moderate flooding, its fourth highest crest on record and its highest crest since June of 2006. The river was above its 7 foot flood stage from 1118 p.m. EDT on September 30th through 733 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 11.74 feet at 515 a.m. EDT on October 1st. The Tobyhanna Creek at
Blakeslee along the Carbon and Monroe County line was above its 10 foot flood stage from 425 a.m. EDT through 930 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 10.33 feet at 615 a.m. EDT.
Precipitation totals included 10.45 inches in Blakeslee, 7.26 inches in Mount Pocono and 5.29 inches in East Stroudsburg.

Flood in NORTHAMPTON, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 01:03:00 to 01-OCT-10 15:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLENDON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Four homes were evacuated along Norwood Street in Bethlehem because of flooding along the Saucon Creek. Basement flooding occurred. The Lehigh River at Walnutport along the Lehigh and Northampton County line was above its 8 foot flood stage from 446 a.m. EDT through 218 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 9.11 feet at 1015 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the Lehigh River at Glendon was above its 19 foot flood stage from 857 a.m. EDT through 315 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 19.34 feet at 11 a.m. EDT. The Monocacy Creek at Bethlehem was above its 4.5 foot flood stage from 203 a.m. EDT through 835 a.m. EDT on the 1st and again from 1037 a.m. EDT through 426 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 5.94 feet at 415 a.m. EDT.
Event precipitation totals included 8.85 inches in Bath, 8.58 inches in Easton and 6.71 inches in Walnutport.

Flood in BERKS, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 02:20:00 to 01-OCT-10 11:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREISEMERSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Manatawny Creek at Spangville was above its 6 foot flood stage from 320 a.m. EDT through 1243 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 7.42 feet at 8 a.m. EDT.  Event precipitation totals included 7.25 inches at the Blue Marsh Dam, 6.46 inches in Reading and 5.40 inches in Hamburg.

Flood in BUCKS, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 02:18:00 to 01-OCT-10 18:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: QUAKERTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

While the Delaware River did not reach the established flood stage at Trenton, New Jersey, a significant rise occurred in the river. A breakaway barge had to be guided under the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge which was closed until that occurred. Both Yardley and Lower Makefield closed River Road as waters from the Delaware River crept a few inches onto the roadway. Roadway flooding and closures including Erie Road were reported in Quakertown as the Tohickon Creek flooded.
The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Dublin was above its 5 foot flood stage from 318 a.m. EDT through 602 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 6.30 feet at 415 a.m. EDT. The Little Neshaminy Creek at Neshaminy was above its 8 foot flood stage from 630 a.m. EDT through 843 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 8.36 feet at 745 a.m. EDT. The Neshaminy Creek at Langhorne was above its 9 foot flood stage from 751 a.m. EDT through 701 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 10.48 feet at 245 p.m. EDT.
Event precipitation totals included 7.50 inches in Sellersville, 5.53 inches in Doylestown and 4.01 inches in Bensalem.

Flood in CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 00:00:00 to 01-OCT-10 22:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: CEDARVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Flooding was reported along the main stem of the Brandywine Creek in Pennsbury and Birmingham Townships. The heavy rain also caused a building collapse on Gay Street in West Chester.
The West Branch of the Brandywine Creek at Honey Brook was above its 7 foot flood stage from 252 a.m. EDT through 1038 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 9.04 feet at 545 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek at Modena was briefly above its 9 foot flood stage from 335 a.m. EDT through 400 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 9.02 feet at 345 a.m. EDT. The East Branch of the Brandywine Creek below Downingtown had major flooding and was the sixth highest crest on record. It was the highest crest since June of 2006. The creek was above its 7 foot flood stage from 2 a.m. EDT through 130 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 13.04 feet at 630 a.m. EDT. The Main Stem of the Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford had moderate flooding and was above its 9 foot flood stage from 247 a.m. EDT through 1120 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 12.94 feet at 145 p.m. EDT. The Valley Creek at Valley Forge had major flooding and its second highest crest on record. It was the highest crest since Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999. The creek was above its 7 foot flood stage from 1236 a.m. EDT through 937 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 12.93 feet at 445 a.m. EDT. The Red Clay Creek at Kennett Square was above its 7.5 foot flood stage from 250 a.m. EDT through 723 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 8.47 feet at 415 a.m. EDT. The French Creek at Phoenixville was above its 8 foot flood stage from 153 a.m. EDT through 1157 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 9.84 feet at 4 a.m. EDT. The White Clay Creek at Strickersville was above its 9.5 foot flood stage from 317 a.m. EDT through 734 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 10.33 feet at 515 a.m. EDT.
Event precipitation totals included 9.77 inches in Kennett Square, 8.23 inches in West Chester and 6.14 inches in Downingtown.

Flood in DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 00:01:00 to 01-OCT-10 22:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHADDS FORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flooding along the Darby Creek in Darby Borough was described as the heaviest since Hurricane Floyd. Dozens of families were evacuated and sought shelter at the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. People were rescued from the second floor windows on Springfield Road. Water was six to seven feet deep at the intersection of Springfield Road and MacDade Boulevard. A few homes in the borough were severely flooded as well as one automobile parts store. Major flooding also occurred along the entire length of Chester Creek from Thornbury Township into Chester City. About sixty homes were damaged in Chester City. Upland and Brookhaven also had flooding along the Creek. There were about 100 county rescues from vehicles. One of the most harrowing occurred in Bethel Township where a vehicle was washed off a roadway and the female driver escaped the submerged vehicle through the passenger side window.

The Chester Creek in Chester had major flooding and its third highest crest on record. It was the highest crest since Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999.  The creek was above its 8 foot flood stage from 120 a.m. EDT through 209 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 17.54 feet at 6 a.m. EDT.  Crum Creek at Newtown Square had major flooding and its highest crest on record. The creek was above its 6 foot flood stage from 101 a.m. EDT through 947 a.m. EDT on  the 1st. It crested at 13.06 feet at 445 a.m. EDT. The Main Stem of the Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford had moderate  flooding and was above its 9 foot flood stage from 247 a.m. EDT  through 1120 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 12.94 feet at 145 p.m. EDT.
Event precipitation totals included 9.04 inches in Chadds Ford, 8.18 inches in Radnor and 7.00 inches in Drexel Hill.

Flood in MONTGOMERY, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 00:41:00 to 01-OCT-10 14:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOWE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Perkiomen Valley was hit the hardest by flooding in Montgomery County. A 55-year-old woman drowned after she drove into flood waters of the Skippack Creek on the morning of October 1st off Stump Hall road just north of Anders Road near Evansburg State Park near Skippack. Near Schwenksville, two men were swept into the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek as they tried to drive over the Park Avenue Bridge. They were rescued from the creek about eight hours later. The sewage treatment plant was flooded in Schwenksville.  In Collegeville, there were eight rescues. Homes along the Skippack Pike near the Skippack Creek were flooded. In Lower Salford Township, a vehicle rescue occurred near the intersection of Quarry and Store Roads. Several roads were closed in Towamencin Township, many along the Skippack Creek. An ambulance became stuck on the bridge over the Skippack Creek on Old Forty Foot Road. In Teleford, there were five rescues. Along the Schuylkill River, Riverfront Park flooded in Pottstown and two homeless people were rescued. In West Norriton, about 200 people were evacuated from the Jefferson Villa Apartment after its basement flooded with Schuylkill River water. The King of Prussia Mall flooded and forced the closure of one store and the food court. In all one home was destroyed and another suffered major damage. One business suffered major flood damage. There was moderate damage at the King of Prussia mall complex in the food court area and ninety-three other homes suffered minor damage. Two bridges, three parks, eight roadways and three sewer treatment facilities suffered minor damage.
The Schuylkill River at Norristown was above its 17 foot flood stage from 803 a.m. EDT through 306 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 18.31 feet at1030 a.m. EDT. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Schwenksville had major flooding, tied for the fourth highest crest on record and the highest crest since June of 2006. The creek was above its 7 foot flood stage from 141 a.m. EDT through 209 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 12.18 feet at 10 a.m. EDT. The Main Stem of the Perkiomen Creek at East Greenville was above its 4 foot flood stage from 233 a.m. EDT through 1040 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 6.02 feet at 7 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the main stem of the Perkiomen Creek at Graterford had moderate flooding. It was the highest crest since October of 2005. The creek was above its 11 foot flood stage from 152 a.m. EDT through 252 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 14.86 feet at 615 a.m. EDT. The Wissahickon Creek at Fort Washington was above its 9 foot flood stage from 3 a.m. EDT through 1116 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 12.82 feet at 715 a.m. EDT.
Event precipitation totals included 10.55 inches in Graterford, 9.39 inches in Pennsburg, 9.36 inches in Collegeville, 7.40 inches in Conshohocken and 6.55 inches in Pottstown.

Flood in PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
From 01-OCT-10 00:54:00 to 01-OCT-10 20:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: (PHL)PHILADELPHIA IN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The heavy rain and flooding forced residents to evacuate in Manayunk and East Falls along the Schuylkill River. Main Street and Shurs Lane were under water in Manayunk. One restaurant was flooded. The Manayunk Dragon Boat Racing Team saw its dock and five boats swept away in the Schuylkill River. In all about 6 businesses and 68 residences suffered minor flood damage in Philadelphia with most of the damage occurring in Manayunk (Schuylkill River) and Eastwick (Cobbs Creek). Most of it was basement flooding. One apartment complex was evacuated. The building was elevated so the apartments did not sustain any damage, however approximately 20 of the ground level garages flooded. .
The Schulykill River in Philadelphia had moderate flooding. The river was above its 11 foot flood stage from 507 a.m. EDT through 911 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 13.05 feet at 1 p.m. EDT. The Wissahickon Creek at its mouth was above its 5 foot flood stage from 247 a.m. EDT through 409 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 7.46 feet at 1115 a.m. EDT. The Pennypack Creek at the Rhawn Street was above its 7 foot flood stage from 305 a.m. EDT through 1250 p.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 9.21 feet at 5 a.m. EDT. The Frankford Creek at Castor Avenue was above its 7 foot flood stage from 154 a.m. EDT through 600 a.m. EDT on the 1st. It crested at 9.31 feet at 430 a.m. EDT.
Event precipitation totals included 5.57 inches at the Franklin Institute, 5.41 inches at the Philadelphia International Airport and 4.18 inches at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport.