Heavy Rain Leads To Flooding Conditions Throughout The Region

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Heavy rain pounded the Delaware Valley leading to flooding conditions all throughout the region.

Emergency crews had to rescue dozens of drivers who thought they could make it through standing water. And, in Delaware County, a state of emergency was declared for Marple Township, Darby Borough and the City of Chester.

As KYW's Tim Jimenez reports, Chester County's Deputy Director for Emergency Management Robert Kagel says they had to make at least 45 water rescues, drivers underestimating how powerful standing water on the road or at an intersection can be.

"You put not only your life at risk but the lives of people that may try and help you. Good Samaritans trying to help you as well as the 5,000 emergency responders in Chester County," Kagel said.

Kagel says they're watching Downingtown, Coatesville, North Coventry and Phoenixville really closely for flooding conditions.

"If you see water on the road, don't drive through it. You don't know how deep it might be. Doesn't matter if you're in an SUV, a big truck, or a small car. If you see water on the road, don't drive through it," Kagel said.

The Red Cross also opened up three comfort centers in Chester and Delaware Counties, helping dozens of people.

At one point thousands were in the dark. If you need to reach PECO overnight you can call 1-800-841-4141 to report an outage.

PHILADELPHIA

There is a Flood Warning for the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia until early Friday morning.

The Philadelphia Police Department is warning residents about the creeks and streams throughout the city, including the Wissahickon and Pennypack. Authorities say flash flooding leads to several deaths each year.

If you're riding SEPTA, expect some delays on all Regional Rail lines. SEPTA is suspending the Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail Line through Thursday's morning commute.

Martin Luther King Drive is closed in both directions between Sweet Briar Road and the Falls Bridge due to flooding.

Northbound lanes of Kelly Drive are closed between Strawberry Mansion Drive and Fountain Green Drive.  Kelly Drive is also closed from Waterworks to the Falls Bridge.

Lincoln Drive is also closed in both directions between Gypsy Lane and Rittenhouse Lane.

BUCKS COUNTY

In Bucks County, Lower Makefield Police say Mirrow Lake Road and Stoney Hill between Bluestone and Big Oak are closed due to flooding.

The Pa. Turnpike recommends drivers reduce their speed to 45 MPH on the NE Extension northbound from Mid-County tolls.

CHESTER COUNTY

In Chester County, a driver had to be rescued from by firefighters on Ellis Woods Road. The water was reportedly up to the bumper of the car. On Bethel Church Road, cars were seen driving through the roadway while it was visibly flooded.

According to the Downingtown Police Department, all major roadways and thoroughfares are experiencing flooding conditions through Downingtown Borough. Police are asking motorists to use alternate routes.

The following major roads or intersecting major roads are closed:
- Route 30 & Route 322 in Downingtown Borough
- Route 322 (Brandywine Avenue) to Boot Road in Downingtown Borough
- Route 926 at Creek Road in Birmingham Township
- Upper Pine Creek Road between Route 401 and Davis Road in West Pikeland Township
- Old Mill Road at Route 30 in Sadsbury Township

The west branch of the Brandywine Creek already flooded once, and it may spill over its banks again.  Nearby, ten homes along Modena Court were evacuated after water flooded their basements.

The American Red Cross has opened two comfort centers for those displaced by flooding in Chester County.

They are located at Avon Grove High School at 257 State Street and W. Grove and Modena Fire Station at 5 N. Brandywine in Coatesville.

WATCH: Todd Quinones Reports From Modena, Chester County

DELAWARE COUNTY

A State of Emergency has been declared in Marple Township, the City of Chester, and Darby Borough in Delaware County.

In Collingdale, the Darby Creek is well over it's banks.  The creek started rising at about 6 p.m. Wednesday night and has continued to rise. About six homes have been evacuated in Darby Borough and some businesses in the Collingdale area have removed merchandise as a precaution.  MacDade Boulevard has been shut down near Springfield Road due to flooding.

The American Red Cross has opened a comfort center for those displaced by flooding in Delaware County at the Showalter Middle School, located at 1100 W. 10th Street in Chester.

WATCH: Natasha Brown Reports From Collingdale, Delaware County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Montgomery County is dealing with its share of flooding and road closures Wednesday night, including a section of Route 73 between Cross and Plank Roads (See Related Story). PennDOT says a car has been stuck there in high water since 4:30 p.m.

The area is located along the Perkiomen Creek. The National Weather Service says the creek will crest around 6 a.m. Thursday.

The Central Perkiomen Valley Park in Schwenksville is closed due to flooding. Several central and southern sections of Perkiomen Trail and Wissahickon Trail are also flooded.

NEW JERSEY

In New Jersey, Mount Laurel Police say Walton Avenue is closed between Windsor Lane and Hillside Lane due to flooding. Union Mill Road is also closed between Briggs Road and Hartford Road due to flooding. Police advise drivers to seek alternate routes.

Flooding also closed Brooklawn Circle in South Jersey. Three drivers had to be rescued after getting stuck in flood waters on the flood-prone road.

In Camden, several areas are experiencing flooding and drivers are urged to use caution while driving in heavy rain on wet roads.

The Camden County Police Department says the following areas are not passable for drivers at this time due to flooding:

- 29th & River Ave.
- 7th & Fairview
- Masters & Tulip
- Delaware Ave. between Market and Penn streets
- 8th & Kaighn
- 10th & Sycamore
- Davis & Copewood
- State St. from the bridge to Harrison Ave.
- River Road from Federal to State

In Gloucester City, at Route 130 and Klemm Avenue police have the southbound lanes blocked at the underpass before the 76/295 interchange.

The Gloucester Township Police Department says the following roadways are closed due to flooding:

- Good Intent Road between Clementon Avenue and Blackwood Barnsboro Road
- Hider Lane between Little Gloucester Road and Kelly Drivers Lane

DELAWARE

It was a wet rush hour in Newark, Delaware as cars navigated around puddles and water covered roads left by the heavy rains.

The White Clay Creek looked more like a raging river. The water level rose fast causing the swollen creek to overflow it's banks. Water ran across N. Collegeville Road forcing some traffic to U-turn rather than take their chances (See Related Story).

Airport Road was shut down in both directions between Hwy 37/Commons Boulevard and US 202/Hwy 141.

Drivers are urged to not attempt to drive through any standing water.

For the latest on weather and traffic conditions, watch CBS 3 at 4 a.m., listen to KYW Newsradio and get updates anytime right here on CBSPhilly.

In:
• Road Closures
• Flooding