Philly region hit by tornado damage, flash floods and road closures
Tornado causes severe damage in Dover, Delaware
A confirmed tornado pummeled motels along DuPont Highway in Dover, ripping off sections of roofs and scattering debris. All hotel guests and residents were evacuated safely without reported injuries, though police are urging sightseers to stay off the roads to allow cleanup crews to work.
PHILADELPHIA - Severe storms and heavy rainfall are expected to move through Philadelphia, New Jersey and northern Delaware Thursday afternoon into late Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
A Flood Watch will be in effect as the area could see rainfall rates up to three inches per hour and damaging winds topping 60 miles per hour.
Tornado watch
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania until 10 p.m.
Residents impacted should seek shelter and go to a basement or lowest point of their home.
Tornado warnings
Just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the NWS issued a Tornado Warning in Kent and Dover Counties in Delaware until 4:45 p.m. which was later extended until 6:45 p.m.
Another Tornado Warning was issued in Atlantic County until 5:15 p.m.
A Tornado Warning was issued in Chester County until 6:00 p.m.
The impact of those warnings became reality in Dover, Delaware, where city officials say severe weather left significant damage and triggered a State of Emergency as of 6:20 p.m.
Mayor Robin R. Christiansen and the Dover Police Department issued urgent pleas for residents to stay off the roads as first responders, tree crews and public works teams assess severe tree damage, widespread power outages, down utility lines and unpowered traffic signals—particularly along the heavily impacted Division Street/Lockerman Street corridor and parts of N. Dupont Highway.
Dover Police reminded drivers that dark intersections must be treated as four-way stops, urging citizens not to travel or go sightseeing, so emergency vehicles can maneuver safely.
Increased risks for flooding and dangerous winds
What we know:
A Flood Watch has been issued for northern Delaware, much of New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Thunderstorms could drop one to two inches of rain with some spots seeing up to five inches, potentially leading to flash flooding.
A Flash Flood Warning was issued until 9:45 p.m. for Northern New Castle County, Northwestern Camden County, Northwestern Gloucester County, Northwestern Salem County, Southeastern Chester County, Delaware County, Southeastern Montgomery County and Philadelphia County.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington, Newark, West Chester, Gloucester City, Chester, West Deptford, Yeadon and Westtown.
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Winds could gust above 60 miles per hour and flash flooding could impact the evening commute.
As the night progressed, high rain totals began swelling regional waterways.
The NWS issued a Flood Warning through 1:45 a.m. Friday for small streams and low-lying areas in South Central Montgomery County and Northwestern Philadelphia County, where radar indicated two to three inches of rainfall.
Active stream flooding was reported across several communities—including Chestnut Hill, Ambler, North Wales, Flourtown, Blue Bell, Fort Washington, Spring House and Wyndmoor—with the Wissahickon Creek at Fort Washington officially rising above flood stage.
Across Philadelphia County, municipal agencies spent Thursday preparing for major disruptions.
The Managing Director’s Office activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center, with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Weather Steering Committee coordinating preparedness efforts throughout the evening and into the early morning.
Philadelphia Water Department crews worked ahead of the storm to clear debris from drainage inlets in flood-prone neighborhoods, while Philadelphia Police and Fire first responders staged personnel at key locations in case waterways swell or streets require emergency closures.
Travel disruption and rising water levels are already impacting local roads across Montgomery County. In Huntingdon Valley, Lower Moreland Police announced that Northbound Philmont Avenue is shut down at Pine and Tomlinson Roads due to flooding, cautioning drivers never to bypass barricades.
Nearby in Abington Township, police announced additional closures, shutting down Hampton Road between Sherwood and Meadowbrook Roads due to fallen trees and utility poles, as well as Rockwell Road between Hamilton Road and Grovania Avenue due to downed wires.
The highest rainfall and storm threat is expected Thursday afternoon and evening, especially after 2 p.m., with the most dangerous weather reaching the I-95 corridor by 5 p.m. and moving through South Jersey toward the shore by 7 p.m.
Timeline:
After a day when Philadelphia and parts of the region saw highs at or above 90 degrees, storms are forecast to move in quickly on Thursday.
The storms are going to dump a lot of rain in a short period of time, about two to three inches an hour.
Severe weather threats include flash flooding, damaging winds and a low tornado risk, expected to clear out of the region by 10 or 11 p.m.
A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding.
Rainfall amounts of one to two inches are possible with localized amounts of three to five inches which could cause flash flooding, according to the NWS.
Thunderstorms may produce excessive runoff, leading to rising creeks, streams and flooding in low-lying or urban areas.
Winds gusting more than 60 miles per hour could cause additional damage.
"We’ve experienced fast-moving storms this summer that have created damage to many of our residents’ and businesses’ properties, and we want to make sure we were ready today and will remain ready through the early morning hours," Philadelphia Managing Director Carlton Williams said in a statement.
City leaders are urging residents to monitor alerts on ReadyPhiladelphia (accessible by texting READYPHILA to 888777 or visiting phila.gov/ready) and to take shelter immediately on lower levels and away from windows during active weather warnings.
What's next:
The forecast shows Thursday as the main day of concern for storms.
As crews work throughout the evening to clear debris and restore downed power lines and phone lines, emergency managers urge residents across all affected municipalities to reserve 911 strictly for immediate life-threatening emergencies rather than power outage reports.
Friday is expected to be quiet, but more showers and storms could return Saturday, with drier weather possible Sunday through Tuesday. Meteorologists said the pattern will likely remain variable through the end of the month, with continued above-average warmth into September.
The Source: Information from the National Weather Service and FOX 29 meteorologists.