Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, December 17, 2000

An unseasonably warm air mass and an intense low pressure system and cold front not only set the stage for an extremely windy day, but also produced heavy rain and flooding across Berks County. A series of showers and thunderstorms with heavy downpours moved across the region during the first half of the 17th. The heaviest rain fell in the northwest half of the county where Doppler Radar storm total estimates exceeded four inches in isolated locations. But most of the county had storm totals which exceeded two inches. The heavy rain caused poor drainage flooding and also led to the flooding of some major streams in the county. Stream flooding was reported in Albany, Earl, Hereford and Richmond Townships. The worst flooding occurred along the Sacony Creek in Richmond Township as homes were evacuated along the creek in the Virginville area. Several major roads were closed. A piece off an old dam along the Schuylkill River in Muhlenberg Township broke away, but caused no damage. Storm totals included 2.94 inches at the Blue Marsh Dam, 2.85 inches in Bechtelsville, 2.53 inches in Vinemont and Morgantown and 2.14 inches in Reading. The Schuylkill River at Berne crested barely (11.99 feet) before its 12 foot flood stage at 4 p.m. EST on the 17th.