Flooding in Pennsylvania, December 14, 1996

Heavy rain associated with a slow moving low pressure system near Delaware the night of the 13th helped cause flooding across some of the larger streams and rivers in Southeast Pennsylvania. At the Philadelphia International Airport 1.84 inches of rain fell during the 12 hour period ending 5 a.m. EST on the 14th. This heavy rain was part of a continuous 48 hour stretch of rain from the evening of the 12th through the evening of the 14th that dropped 2.5 to 4.5 inches across most of Southeast Pennsylvania.In Chester County, the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek at Downingtown was above its 7 foot flood stage through 11 a.m. EST on the 14th. It crested at 10.1 feet at 4.a.m. EST on the 14th. The main stem of the Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford reached its 9 foot flood stage at 130 a.m. EST on the 14th, crested at 11.1 feet at 1130 a.m. EST on the 14th and was back within bankfull at 10 p.m. EST on the 14th. Some motorists became trapped in the flood waters at the Pennsylvania State Routes 926 and 100 intersection along the Pocopson and Birmingham Townships border. In Delaware County, the Chester Creek near Chester was above its 8 foot flood stage from 230 a.m. through 6 a.m. EST on the 14th. It crested at 8.5 feet at 4 a.m. EST on the 14th. Storm totals included 3.33 inches in Downingtown, 3.31 inches in Glenmoore, 3.27 in Crum Creek and 2.89 inches in Honey Brook.In Philadelphia, the Schuylkill River at the Fairmount Dam was above its 11 foot flood stage from 7 a.m. through 330 p.m. EST on the 14th. It crested at 11.4 feet at 1030 a.m. EST on the 14th. Kelly Drive was closed because of the flooding and the Crescent Club Boathouse was partially submerged. Storm totals included 4.17 inches at the Franklin Institute, 3.81 inches at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, 3.45 inches in Center City and 3.37 inches at the Philadelphia International Airport.In Montgomery County, the Perkiomen Creek at Graterford was above its 11 foot flood stage from 1 a.m. through 10 a.m EST on the 14th. It crested at 12.0 feet at 615 a.m. EST on the 14th. Several roads had to be closed during the night of the 13th. Hardest hit was Horsham Township. In Bucks County, the Neshaminy Creek at Langhorne reached its 9 foot flood stage at 3 a.m. EST on the 14th, crested at 12.6 feet at noon EST on the 14th and was back within bankfull at 730 p.m. EST on the 14th. Six homes were evacuated because of flooding along the Neshaminy Creek in Middletown Township. Cars became stranded because of the creek's flooding in Middletown and Lower Southampton. Basement flooding was reported in Hulmeville and several roads were closed in Bristol. Storm totals included 5.05 inches at the Willow Grove NAS, 4.7 inches in Neshaminy Falls, 3.66 inches in Southampton, 3.3 inches in Doylestown, 3.08 inches in Valley Forge, 2.77 inches in Perkasie, 2.61 inches in Green Lane and 1.76 inches in Palm.