Heavy Downpours Causing Flash Flooding, Closing Roads Throughout The Delaware Valley
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) - Heavy rains over the weekend combined with downpours Monday morning made some roadways impassable and others treacherous for motorists across the Delaware Valley.
State highway and emergency management officials reported numerous closed roads in a wide swath of the state from Williamsport to the Philadelphia suburbs, and some motorists had to be rescued.
Hazel Coles said water rose so quickly at her home in Darby that she had to evacuate through a window. She said there was about 3 feet of water on her street, and some people had to be evacuated by boat. She said the Red Cross was helping displaced residents.
"It's just crazy," she said. "I thank God it wasn't worse."
The Broomall Fire Company posted on Facebook photos of flooded roads and cars under water. Broomall Fire Company says volunteers were dispatched to several emergencies, including a water rescue on I-476 and voluntary evacuations along Lawrence Road.
In Philadelphia, flooding on the Roosevelt Boulevard, near Broad Street, has the entire roadway covered in water. Flooding has also snarled traffic on Kelly Drive. Earlier in the day, a driver had to be rescued at 25th and Diamond in North Philadelphia.
The Darby Fire Company safely evacuated Rick Khanna and his six-year-old dog Rocky.
"The person put him on their shoulder and got him back over here," said Khanna.
He says his property may be damaged but he's grateful lives are intact.
"I'm really thankful and appreciate their help, they're really doing a good job," Khanna added.
Over in Radnor Township an elderly woman had to be rescued.
Joan Bergquist, who lives in Devon, was on her way to a doctor's appointment when she got trapped in flooded waters.
The National Weather Service in State College said there were numerous reports of 6 inches of rain or more in Schuylkill and Columbia counties.
The Schuylkill Expressway was closed in both directions at the busy King of Prussia Mall exit. The waters affected dozens of stores and a parking garage at the mall.
Officials tell CBS3 roughly 65 stores had to closed on Monday due to the flooding.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike WB was also closed at Exit 333 Norristown and the PA Turnpike EB was closed between Exit 326 Valley Forge and Exit 333 Norristown.
New Jersey Transit suspended the River Line service in both directions between the Walter Rand Transportation Center and the Waterfront Entertainment Complex due to flooding.
In the Schuylkill County community of Tremont, the town was flooded last month and now again on Monday. Images of Spring Street show the road flooded. Homes in low-lying areas are being evacuated, and a shelter has been established at a high school.
PennDOT asked commuters to check before driving their usual roads and 511Pa.com reported accidents and floods across the region; including flooding on Flooding on I-76 eastbound between (Beginning of I - 076) - Non Turnpike and Exit 328B: US 202 NORTH - KING OF PRUSSIA. I-76 EASTBOUND has reopened. Westbound remains closed.
DelDOT is also asking motorists to use caution on the roads.
Gov. Tom Wolf activated the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center on Monday morning and the National Guard was notified to be ready to help, if needed.
