The Northeast United States found itself once more grappling with heavy rains and fatal Pennsylvania flooding deaths over the weekend. A string of deaths was confirmed in the flash flooding that ravaged suburban Pennsylvania on Saturday night.
The disaster follows close on the heels of another tragedy barely a week prior, when a woman lost her life in a desperate evacuation attempt from her upstate New York home amidst severe flooding that wreaked havoc across the region, and also laid waste to parts of Vermont.
Pennsylvania Flooding Deaths Surge
Tragedy struck eastern Pennsylvania on Saturday evening when a deluge brought six to seven inches of rainfall within an hour, resulting in the loss of five lives on a flooded roadway.
The deceased include two women and one man, their bodies discovered outside their vehicles in an area where floodwaters had risen to about five feet above ground, according to a CBS News report. This Pennsylvania flooding disaster occurred about a half-hour’s drive north of Philadelphia, near Houghs Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.
Devastation on the Roadway: Flash Flood Aftermath
Tim Brewer, Chief of the Upper Makefield Fire Company, shared during a Sunday press conference that around eleven vehicles were estimated to be on the road when the Pennsylvania flooding began. Three of these cars were engulfed by the floodwaters. Despite the chaos, eight people were rescued from their vehicles, and two others were saved from the nearby creek.
Search Continues for Two Missing Children
By Sunday afternoon, a 9-month-old baby and his 2-year-old sister were still missing in the aftermath of the Pennsylvania flooding. Tragically, their mother was confirmed among the deceased. The family, originally from Charleston, South Carolina, was caught in the flash flood during their drive. Following the pause in search operations due to the darkness on Saturday night, teams resumed their efforts in the affected area.
Unyielding Weather Challenges the Northeast U.S.
With the National Weather Service issuing a flash flood warning for parts of Connecticut and other forecasters warning of potential tornadoes, the severe weather threat remains high for the northeastern U.S. The warning, which was set to stay active until at least 11 a.m. ET, includes areas like Danbury, Shelton, and Waterbury. A forewarning of “potential for a few brief tornadoes” was also issued for portions of Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
