Very heavy rain caused widespread poor drainage, creek and river flooding throughout the county. More than forty major roadways were closed. There were twenty water rescues and over one hundred stranded vehicles. Numerous roads were closed. Creek and river flooding reached major category. Flooding along the Schuylkill River was the worst since Tropical Storm Floyd on September 16,1999 and flooding along the Perkiomen Creek was the worst since Tropical Storm Irene on August 28, 2011. Hardest hit municipalities included Bridgeport, Conshohocken, Springfield and Whitemarsh.
In West Norriton Township, flooding along the Schuylkill River surrounded several apartment buildings at Rivercrest and The Lofts. All the residents were sheltered in place. In Lower Providence Township (Eagleville), along the Schuylkill River, the garages of the Riverview Landing Apartments were flooded. In Conshohocken Borough, flooding from the Schuylkill River flooded apartments and a hotel on Washington Street. Residents were asked to voluntarily evacuate. In Skippack Township, vehicles were stuck on Pennsylvania State Route 73. The Skippack Creek also flooded. For about an hour during the evening rush on April 30th in Lower Merion Township, Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) eastbound was closed due to flooding between State Route 3050 (exit 337) and U.S. Route 1 southbound (exit 339). Sections of U.S. Route 422 were also closed. SEPTA Regional rail service was suspended through May 1st on the Manayunk-Norristown line. Roadways were flooded and closed in many other townships. Townships reporting multiple roadway closures included Upper Moreland, Perkiomen, Whitemarsh, Horsham, Limerick, Norristown (U.S. Route 202) and Bridgeport.
The West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Hillegass rose above its 5 foot flood stage from 330 p.m. EDT on April 30th through 115 a.m. EDT on May 1st. It crested at 5.23 feet at 5 p.m. EDT on April 30th. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Schwenksville had moderate flooding and was above its 8 foot flood stage from 415 p.m. EDT on April 30th through 453 a.m. EDT on May 1st. It crested at 11.76 feet at 1230 a.m. EDT on May 1st.
The main stem of the Perkiomen Creek at East Greenville had minor flooding and was above its 4 foot flood stage from 202 p.m. EDT on April 30th through 924 a.m. EDT on May 1st. It crested at 6.02 feet at 730 p.m. EDT on April 30th. Farther downstream, the Perkiomen Creek at Graterford had major flooding and was above its 11 foot flood stage from 319 p.m. EDT on April 30th through 906 a.m. EDT on May 1st. It crested at 16.02 feet at 1245 a.m. EDT on May 1st. This was historically the 8th highest crest on record for the creek and the highest crest since August 28, 2011, associated with Tropical Storm Irene.
The Schuylkill River at Pottstown had minor flooding and was above its 12.5 foot flood stage from Midnight EDT through 131 p.m. EDT on May 1st. It crested at 12.90 feet at 830 a.m. EDT on May 1st. Farther downstream, the Schuylkill River at Norristown had major flooding and was above its 13 foot flood stage from 331 p.m. EDT on April 30th through 1115 p.m. EDT on May 1st. It crested at 20.83 feet at 245 a.m. EDT on May 1st. This was historically the 4th highest crest on record for the river and the highest crest since September 16, 1999, associated with Tropical Storm Floyd. The Wissahickon Creek at Fort Washington had major flooding and was above its 10 foot flood stage from 413 p.m. EDT on April 30th through 205 a.m. EDT on May 1st. It crested at 12.54 feet at 915 p.m. EDT on April 30th.
Event precipitation totals included 6.37 inches in Collegeville, 5.83 inches in Limerick, 5.71 inches in Pottstown, 5.67 inches in Perkiomenville, 5.58 inches in Harleysville and 5.45 inches in Elkins Park.