I persistent upper level flow of moist southerly air brought waves of flooding and flash flooding to the region. Significant flooding was reported across eastern portions of the area.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS CTP wrote it up.
I persistent upper level flow of moist southerly air brought waves of flooding and flash flooding to the region. Significant flooding was reported across eastern portions of the area. Two deaths were also reported, one person was washed away attempting to cross a stream, while a motorist was swept away in flood waters.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 22, 6:57 PM EST, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 757 PM EDT Sun Jul 22 2018 .SYNOPSIS... An extensive wet pattern with frequent rounds of rain will elevate the risk of flooding across parts of central Pennsylvania this week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... *Heavy rain/flash flood risk continues over south central PA Tracking next band of showers entering York and Lancaster Counties. With brief heavy downpours in the urban areas issued a flood advisory. Elsewhere the area is rather quiet right now with only light showers. With such low FFG values, it won't take much rainfall to produce or renew any localized flooding across the region, so will keep the FFA going for now. Previous discussion...Remote sensing suite from GOES-16 and KCCX/KLWX WSR- 88D radar depict breaks in the clouds, with destablization leading to an uptick convection across central/eastern MD invof Chesapeake Bay. A MCV lifting through NOVA is also helping to spur storm development. As the vort continues lift northward, expect precip coverage to increase over south central PA later this afternoon through the evening, with hires model signal favoring locally heavy rainfall over parts of the lower to middle Susquehanna Valley. Yesterday's +RA has greatly reduced FFG as low as 0.50" in 1hr in some spots, with additional heavy downpours supporting the potential for isolated flooding/runoff issues. Issued flash flood watch for south central PA in coordination with LWX and WPC, along with a categorical ERO upgrade to MDT risk. Unlike yesterday, confidence in the QPF details is not as high. However, the heavy rain signal in the 12Z HREF mean/blend QPF would place a QPF max very close to where the highest amounts were recently observed. In addition to heavy rain threat, storms to the south of the Mason Dixon line have become strong to locally severe - posing a risk for gusty to locally damaging winds in storms crossing the MD line into PA. Temps stay very mild overnight in a rather moist/muggy airmass. Anticipate a solid overcast low cloud deck to form across the area late tonight into Monday morning. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... *Multi-day heavy to excessive rain risk continues over parts of south central PA An extensive wet pattern will continue to raise concerns for flash and small stream flooding through the short term period. Atmospheric river set-up with deep layer south-southeast flow will maintain very high PWs and support intense rain rates. Coordinating an upgrade to MDT risk for the D2 WPC ERO and may need to continue FF watch. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... By Tuesday, filling upper trough off to our west will remain nearly stationary or even retrograde a little as strong broad ridge forms over the western U.S. For PA, long fetch moist southerly low-level flow continues for much of the week, with upper flow turning more SW/W. Not much to inhibit daily convection along this river of high PWAT air over the region, so very efficient precip producers that could exacerbate flooding situation after several days of noteworthy rains could continue to bring potential flooding impacts through much of the week. Best daily chances for tstorms shifts to western/central sections early in the week (as ridge briefly edges in from the east) before precip shifts eastward Thu as a cold frontal boundary finally pushes across the state. The weekend looks drier yet scattered showers may persist. Though it will be quite muggy, temperatures will be at or slightly below below normal much of the week. && .AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Modest improvement from MVFR toward VFR still favored through the afternoon, as low clouds give way to breaks of sun. Additional showers/convection will impact the southern airfields through the afternoon/evening with locally heavy downpours. Shower activity will not be very organized and therefore confidence in specific terminal impacts is low. Extensive low clouds are expected tonight into Monday morning with high confidence in MVFR to IFR/LIFR ceilings between 00-12Z Mon. .Outlook... Mon-Fri...Frequent showers/isolated T'storms with associated MVFR/IFR restrictions. TSRA most numerous in PM. && .HYDROLOGY... 2 to 6 inches of rain in the past 24 hours has produced significant rises on small streams and creeks. An extensive wet pattern this week with frequent rounds of rain and daily downpours will elevate the risk of river (small stream/creek) flooding through late week. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch until 11 PM EDT this evening for PAZ036-056- 057-059-063>066. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Ross/Steinbugl SHORT TERM...Ross/Steinbugl LONG TERM...Ross/RXR AVIATION...Dangelo HYDROLOGY...
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service State College PA 1153 AM EDT Sun Jul 22 2018 PAZ004-005-010-011-017-024-025-033-034-231600- Warren-McKean-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Cambria-Blair-Somerset-Bedford- 1153 AM EDT Sun Jul 22 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. An extensive wet pattern with frequent rounds of rain will increase the risk of flooding through late week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ006-012-018-019-026>028-035-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-058- 231600- Potter-Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Huntingdon- Mifflin-Juniata-Fulton-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Schuylkill- 1153 AM EDT Sun Jul 22 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Locally heavy rainfall is possible this afternoon and evening, and could result in isolated flooding. The greatest risk of flooding is over areas that received heavy rainfall on Saturday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. An extensive wet pattern with frequent rounds of rain will increase the risk of flooding through late week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ036-056-057-059-063>066-231600- Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 1153 AM EDT Sun Jul 22 2018 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. An extensive wet pattern with frequent rounds of rain will increase the risk of flooding through late week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
502 PM EDT SUN JUL 22 2018
PAZ066-222145-
Lancaster PA-
502 PM EDT SUN JUL 22 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF LANCASTER COUNTY UNTIL
545 PM EDT...
At 501 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Mount Vernon, moving north at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lancaster, Ephrata, Willow Street, New Holland, Akron, Leola,
Paradise, Denver, Reamstown, Rothsville, Strasburg, Quarryville, Gap,
Adamstown, Terre Hill, Churchtown, Leacock, Bareville, Smithville and
Bowmansville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3998 7631 4031 7616 4014 7587 4010 7594
4004 7594 3997 7599 3993 7600 3987 7599
3987 7600 3976 7606 3976 7608 3975 7609
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 188DEG 34KT 3984 7604
RXRThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 111 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:02 UTC.
11 flood, 10 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
On Wednesday, July 25th, An 18 year old boy was found deceased along Conewago Creek by Stone Jug Road and Benders Church Road in Butler Township. His family reported him missing on July 23rd, and it is believed he was last seen on Sunday evening.
Numerous roads were closed. Water rescue in Bethel Township near Mount Zion Road and US-22.
Numerous flood roads and water rescues were reported. One rescue was noted at Bethel Township and Mt Zion Road and US 22.
Over 4 inches of rain produced flash flooding. PA Route 443 was closed due to flooding. Bunker Hill Road in Halifix Township was damaged.
River flooding along Swatara Creek. Main Street in Hummelstown was closed due to flooding, as was the Duke Street Bridge. Many roads near the river were closed.
Widespread flooding along Swatara Creek.
At 9pm, A 19 year old female attempted to swim across Conewago Creek with her 22 year old relative. She was unable to cross the creek due to the fast current and was swept away. She was found downstream several days later deceased.
Water rescues occurred on Route 209 from Green Street in Washington Township through Cedar Street in Elizabethville as a result of several vehicles driving into floodwaters. Furthermore, Route 225 was closed from Winter Avenue to Bechtel Road as a result of floodwaters. Route 443 was also closed from Mumma Road in West Hanover to Appleby Road in East Hanover as a result of flooding rains. In Middletown by Chestnut Alley to Locust Avenue, and Bradford Avenue to Wayne Avenue, local residents were evacuated as a result of rising waters across Lower Swatara Township.
On Beauty Run, floodwaters were flowing through backyards.
Fishing Creek flooded into nearby fields.
Flooding occurred on Green Valley Road, near Meyers Road. Flooding also occurred onto Indian Rock Dam Road as a result of high waters from Codorus Creek. Codorus Creek also flooded onto Trinity Road.
US-220 was closed north of Picture Rocks. Numerous additional roads were also closed in eastern Lycoming county, as a result of flooding occurring alongside Muncy Creek.
Flooding resulted in more than forty roads being closed county wide. The flooding also led to water rescues at Trailer Park near Sunset and Sunrise Drive. In Derry Township several residents were trapped as a result of floodwaters.
A landslide closed PA-441 both ways between Old Chickies Hill Road and Klinesville Road in West Hempfield Township.
Floodwaters 3-4 deep were over US-209. State Road 325/Gold Mine Road was closed.
Road closures as a result of floodwaters occurred by Glen Rock Road, south of York. Closures also occurred with Betty Road in Washington Township.
Numerous road closures occurred as a result of flooding across the western portion of the county.
Numerous roads were closed across the county as a result of floodwaters.
Water rescues occurred in Locust Township. Residents in Locust Township were unable to leave their homes due to floodwaters.
A water rescue occurred on South Lehigh Avenue. Park Road and Spain Road were closed due to flooding. North Tulpehocken Street was closed in Pine Grove Borough. State Route 209 was also closed both ways as a result of flooding. Little Manahoy Creek flooded onto South 3rd Street in Frackville. Flooding from Little Manahoy Creek impacted one home or more. Rain also washed out Gordon Mountain Road.
Floodwaters were observed across Honey Valley Road near the intersection with South Franklin Street. A water rescue also occurred on Fissels Church Road near Bortner Road and High Valley Lane.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flood, Adams | 2018-07-22 | 18 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Flood, Dauphin | 2018-07-23 | 19 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, July 2018
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 776989, 772789, 773240, 773243, 776991, 776992, 776990, 773249, 773813, 774284, 773814, 774334, 774338, 774311, 774316, 774321, 774330, 773815, 773816, 774271, 774273.