Alert archive / Pennsylvania / River Flood Warnings in 2023

River Flood Warning 30, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

July 25, 2023Chester County, Pennsylvania

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this river flood warning at Jul 25, 2023, 5:07 PM EDT for Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 6 hr.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Jul 25, 2023, 5:07 PM EDT (21:07 UTC)
Expired: Jul 25, 2023, 11:00 PM EDT
In force: 6 hr
Issued by: NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: Moderate

County Chester County, PA

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:10 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The river

Written for the forecast point East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown (DWNP1). The gauge peaked at 11.15 ft at Jul 25, 2023, 8:00 PM EDT.

Action stage: 6 ft
Minor stage: 7 ft
Moderate stage: 9 ft
Major stage: 11 ft

This gauge today: stage, forecast and historic crests

Stage from the USGS instantaneous record for site 01480870, one reading an hour, from a day before the product to a day after it ended. Flood stages are today's.

The text

As transmitted.

753 
WGUS41 KPHI 252107
FLWPHI

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
507 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a Flood 
Warning for the following rivers in Pennsylvania...

  East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown affecting Chester 
  County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive 
cars through flooded areas.

Turn around...don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most 
flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. Most flood related deaths 
occur in automobiles. Do not attempt to cross water covered bridges, 
dips, or low water crossings. Never try to cross a flowing stream, 
even a small one, on foot. To escape rising water find another route 
over higher ground.

Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/phi.

The next statement will be issued late tonight by 515 AM EDT.

&&


PAC029-260915-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FL.W.0030.230725T2107Z-230726T1555Z/
/DWNP1.2.ER.230725T2043Z.230726T0200Z.230726T0954Z.NO/
507 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON TO LATE TOMORROW 
MORNING...

* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is 
  forecast.

* WHERE...East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown.

* WHEN...From this afternoon to late tomorrow morning.

* IMPACTS...At 6.0 feet, Open adjacent land next to the creek floods.
  At 8.0 feet, Dowlin Forge Road begins to flood.
  At 9.0 feet, High water on the Brandywine sends backwater up 
  Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek floods inundating parks and the 
  Downingtown Little League fields.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - At 4:45 PM EDT Tuesday the stage was 7.3 feet.
  - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours
    ending at 4:45 PM EDT Tuesday was 7.3 feet.
  - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 9.8
    feet late this evening. It will then fall below flood stage
    late tonight.
  - Flood stage is 7.0 feet.
  - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
    9.6 feet on 04/14/2010.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

Stream          Fld   Observed        Fcsts (5 pm)        Crest
Location        Stg   Stg Day/Time    Wed  Thu        Stg Time Date

East Branch Bran
Downingtown     7.0   7.3  Tue 4 pm   3.1  MSG        9.8 10pm 7/25


&&

LAT...LON 4002 7567 3993 7561 3991 7567 4001 7574


$$

Robertson

3 follow-up statements

945 
WGUS41 KPHI 252307
FLWPHI

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
707 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...Forecast flooding changed from Moderate to Major severity and 
increased in duration for the following rivers in Pennsylvania...

  East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown affecting Chester 
  County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive 
cars through flooded areas.

Turn around...don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most 
flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. Most flood related deaths 
occur in automobiles. Do not attempt to cross water covered bridges, 
dips, or low water crossings. Never try to cross a flowing stream, 
even a small one, on foot. To escape rising water find another route 
over higher ground.

Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/phi.

The next statement will be issued Wednesday morning by 715 AM EDT.

&&


PAC029-261115-
/O.EXT.KPHI.FL.W.0030.000000T0000Z-230726T1703Z/
/DWNP1.3.ER.230725T2043Z.230726T0100Z.230726T1103Z.NO/
707 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is 
  forecast.

* WHERE...East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown.

* WHEN...Until early tomorrow afternoon.

* IMPACTS...At 6.0 feet, Open adjacent land next to the creek floods.
  At 8.0 feet, Dowlin Forge Road begins to flood.
  At 9.0 feet, High water on the Brandywine sends backwater up 
  Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek floods inundating parks and the 
  Downingtown Little League fields.
  At 11.0 feet, Jefferson Avenue in Downingtown floods. Business 
  Route 30 and Pennsylvania Avenue also flood.
  At 12.0 feet, Residential basements flood along Jefferson Avenue.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - At 6:45 PM EDT Tuesday the stage was 10.8 feet.
  - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours
    ending at 6:45 PM EDT Tuesday was 10.8 feet.
  - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 11.2
    feet late this evening. It will then fall below flood stage
    tomorrow morning.
  - Flood stage is 7.0 feet.
  - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
    11.1 feet on 01/26/1978.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

Stream          Fld   Observed        Fcsts (7 pm)        Crest
Location        Stg   Stg Day/Time    Wed  Thu        Stg Time Date

East Branch Bran
Downingtown     7.0   10.8 Tue 6 pm   3.1  MSG        11.2 9pm 7/25


&&

LAT...LON 4002 7567 3993 7561 3991 7567 4001 7574


$$

Robertson

990 
WGUS81 KPHI 260208
FLSPHI

Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1008 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in 
Pennsylvania...

  East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown affecting Chester 
  County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive 
cars through flooded areas.

Turn around...don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most 
flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. Most flood related deaths 
occur in automobiles. Do not attempt to cross water covered bridges, 
dips, or low water crossings. Never try to cross a flowing stream, 
even a small one, on foot. To escape rising water find another route 
over higher ground.

Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/phi.

The next statement will be issued Wednesday morning by 1015 AM EDT.

&&


PAC029-261415-
/O.CON.KPHI.FL.W.0030.000000T0000Z-230726T1703Z/
/DWNP1.1.ER.230725T2043Z.230725T2330Z.230726T0502Z.NO/
1008 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE...East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown.

* WHEN...Until early tomorrow afternoon.

* IMPACTS...At 6.0 feet, Open adjacent land next to the creek floods.
  At 8.0 feet, Dowlin Forge Road begins to flood.
  At 9.0 feet, High water on the Brandywine sends backwater up 
  Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek floods inundating parks and the 
  Downingtown Little League fields.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - At 9:45 PM EDT Tuesday the stage was 8.7 feet.
  - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours
    ending at 9:45 PM EDT Tuesday was 11.2 feet.
  - Forecast...The river has crested and the stage is falling.
  - Flood stage is 7.0 feet.
  - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
    8.5 feet on 04/19/2022.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

Stream          Fld   Observed        Fcsts (10 pm)       Crest
Location        Stg   Stg Day/Time    Wed  Thu        Stg Time Date

East Branch Bran
Downingtown     7.0   8.7  Tue 9 pm   3.2  MSG        3.2 4pm 7/26


&&

LAT...LON 4002 7567 3993 7561 3991 7567 4001 7574


$$

Fitzsimmons

390 
WGUS81 KPHI 260300
FLSPHI

Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1100 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in 
Pennsylvania...

  East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown affecting Chester 
  County.

PAC029-260400-
/O.CAN.KPHI.FL.W.0030.000000T0000Z-230726T0300Z/
/DWNP1.1.ER.230725T2043Z.230725T2330Z.230726T0502Z.NO/
1100 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023

...FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

The Flood Warning is cancelled for
  the East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - At 10:45 PM EDT Tuesday the stage was 6.75 feet.
  - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours
    ending at 10:45 PM EDT Tuesday was 11.23 feet.
  - Forecast...The creek level will continue to fall overnight.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

Stream          Fld   Observed        Fcsts (11 pm)       Crest
Location        Stg   Stg Day/Time    Wed  Thu        Stg Time Date

East Branch Bran
Downingtown     7.0  6.75 Tue 1045 pm 3.1  MSG        Crested    


&&

LAT...LON 4002 7567 3993 7561 3991 7567 4001 7574


$$

Iovino

The office that day

Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 25, 11:58 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Montgomery	32 min
Jul 25, 12:07 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Berks	23 min
Jul 25, 12:16 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery	44 min
Jul 25, 12:31 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Berks	29 min
Jul 25, 12:33 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Berks	27 min
Jul 25, 12:37 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Carbon	38 min
Jul 25, 12:47 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Bucks, Montgomery	33 min
Jul 25, 12:56 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Northampton	34 min
Jul 25, 1:00 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Berks	30 min
Jul 25, 1:03 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery	42 min
Jul 25, 1:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Carbon, Monroe, Northampton	39 min
Jul 25, 1:10 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Delaware	35 min
Jul 25, 1:12 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Monroe	33 min
Jul 25, 1:20 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Bucks, Montgomery	5 hr
Jul 25, 1:27 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Berks	3 hr
Jul 25, 1:27 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Bucks	48 min
Jul 25, 1:37 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Carbon	3 hr
Jul 25, 1:38 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Delaware	4 hr
Jul 25, 1:41 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Lehigh, Northampton	3 hr
Jul 25, 1:42 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Philadelphia	33 min
Jul 25, 1:49 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PHI	Chester	26 min
Jul 25, 1:54 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Delaware, Philadelphia	4 hr
Jul 25, 1:55 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Monroe	2 hr
Jul 25, 2:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Monroe	39 min
Jul 25, 2:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Chester, Montgomery	46 min
Jul 25, 2:21 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Berks, Chester, Montgomery	2 hr
Jul 25, 2:36 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia	39 min
Jul 25, 2:51 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Chester, Montgomery	3 hr
Jul 25, 2:57 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Chester	3 hr
Jul 25, 3:06 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Bucks, Chester, Montgomery	95 min
Jul 25, 3:13 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Chester	4 hr
Jul 25, 3:16 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia	44 min
Jul 25, 3:21 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia	39 min
Jul 25, 3:34 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Chester, Montgomery	3 hr
Jul 25, 3:58 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia	30 min
Jul 25, 4:04 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PHI	Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia	3 hr
Jul 25, 4:55 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Chester	118 min

Nearby

River Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2023 Every river flood warning in 2023

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive; the gauge from the NWS water service and the USGS.