Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 39, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

July 9, 2026Chester County, Delaware County, Pennsylvania; New Castle County, Delaware

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this flash flood warning at Jul 9, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT for Chester County, Delaware County, Pennsylvania; New Castle County, Delaware. It was in force for 4 hr. 5 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 9, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT (20:30 UTC)
Expired
Jul 9, 2026, 8:30 PM EDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties New Castle County, DE, Chester County, PA, Delaware County, PA

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:33 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 9, 5:20 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ssw Ashland, DEWater rescue at Brackenville Road and Skyline Orchard Drive in Hockessin. Vehicle stuck in rapidly rising floodwater. Multiple roads impassible in the area.
Jul 9, 5:30 PM EDTRAIN 2.671 Ne Kaolin, PAMesonet station FW8290 Kennett Square.
Jul 9, 8:00 PM EDTRAIN 1.06White Clay Creek, DE
Jul 9, 8:00 PM EDTRAIN 2.38Greenville, DE
Jul 9, 8:00 PM EDTRAIN 3.65Hockessin, DE

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 177 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2026-07-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1170 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2026-07-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 39 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1170 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-24 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
543 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
49 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

100 
WGUS51 KPHI 092030
FFWPHI
DEC003-PAC029-045-100030-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FF.W.0039.260709T2030Z-260710T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
430 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern New Castle County in northern Delaware...
  South Central Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania...
  Southwestern Delaware County in southeastern Pennsylvania...

* Until 830 PM EDT.

* At 430 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 
  0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 
  to 3 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 
  inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing 
  or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

  IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets, and underpasses as well as other
           drainage and low lying areas.

* Some locations that may experience flash flooding include...
  Newark, Chester, Swarthmore, Arden, Talleyville, Greenville, Elam, 
  Ashland, Concordville, Hockessin, Chelsea and Pike Creek.

This includes Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 1 
and 6.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3989 7557 3998 7536 3989 7531 3982 7547
      3968 7579 3972 7579 3972 7591 3972 7595
      3972 7596

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Guzzo
4 follow-up statements
311 
WGUS71 KPHI 092116
FFSPHI

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
516 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

DEC003-PAC029-045-100030-
/O.CON.KPHI.FF.W.0039.000000T0000Z-260710T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
New Castle DE-Chester PA-Delaware PA-
516 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN NEW CASTLE, SOUTH CENTRAL CHESTER AND 
SOUTHWESTERN DELAWARE COUNTIES...

At 516 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 
and 3 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 
3 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are 
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses.

Some locations that may experience flash flooding include...
  Newark, Chester, Swarthmore, Arden, Talleyville, Greenville, Elam, 
  Ashland, Concordville, Hockessin, Chelsea and Pike Creek.

This includes Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 1 
and 6.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3989 7557 3998 7536 3989 7531 3982 7547
      3968 7579 3972 7579 3972 7591 3972 7595
      3972 7596

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Guzzo
089 
WGUS71 KPHI 092129
FFSPHI

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
529 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

DEC003-PAC029-045-100030-
/O.CON.KPHI.FF.W.0039.000000T0000Z-260710T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
New Castle DE-Chester PA-Delaware PA-
529 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN NEW CASTLE, SOUTH CENTRAL CHESTER AND 
SOUTHWESTERN DELAWARE COUNTIES...

At 529 PM EDT, emergency management reported flash flooding 
occurring in Hockessin. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. 
The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 3 inches in 1 hour. Additional 
rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. 
Flash flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses.

Some locations that may experience flash flooding include...
  Newark, Chester, Swarthmore, Arden, Talleyville, Greenville, Elam, 
  Ashland, Concordville, Hockessin, Chelsea and Pike Creek.

This includes Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 1 
and 6.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3989 7557 3998 7536 3989 7531 3982 7547
      3968 7579 3972 7579 3972 7591 3972 7595
      3972 7596

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Guzzo
779 
WGUS71 KPHI 092342
FFSPHI

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
742 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

DEC003-PAC029-045-100030-
/O.CON.KPHI.FF.W.0039.000000T0000Z-260710T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
New Castle DE-Chester PA-Delaware PA-
742 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN NEW CASTLE, SOUTH CENTRAL CHESTER AND 
SOUTHWESTERN DELAWARE COUNTIES...

At 742 PM EDT, emergency management reported flash flooding 
occurring in Hockessin. Between 1.5 and 4 inches of rain have 
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in 
the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses.

Some locations that may experience flash flooding include...
  Newark, Chester, Swarthmore, Arden, Ashland, Greenville, 
  Hockessin, Talleyville, Pike Creek, North Star, Elam and 
  Landenberg.

This includes Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania near mile marker 1.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3972 7591 3972 7595 3988 7559 3989 7557
      3989 7531 3968 7579 3972 7579

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

Guzzo
101 
WGUS71 KPHI 100023
FFSPHI

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
823 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

DEC003-PAC029-045-100033-
/O.EXP.KPHI.FF.W.0039.000000T0000Z-260710T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
New Castle DE-Chester PA-Delaware PA-
823 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 830 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR 
NORTHWESTERN NEW CASTLE, SOUTH CENTRAL CHESTER AND SOUTHWESTERN 
DELAWARE COUNTIES...

Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no 
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining 
road closures.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM EDT for a portion of 
southeast Pennsylvania.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM EDT for portions of 
northern Delaware and southern New Jersey.

&&

LAT...LON 3972 7591 3972 7595 3988 7559 3989 7557
      3989 7531 3968 7579 3972 7579

$$

Guzzo

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 9, 2:09 AM EDTFlood WatchPHIBerks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia19 hr
Jul 9, 1:37 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIDelaware6 hr
Jul 9, 2:00 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPHIDelaware, Philadelphia5 hr
Jul 9, 3:01 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBucks, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia4 hr
Jul 9, 3:20 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBerks, Chester, Montgomery3 hr
Jul 9, 3:38 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIChester, Delaware4 hr
Jul 9, 5:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIDelaware45 min
Jul 9, 7:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHISussex53 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Delaware, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.