Intense Flash Flooding Hits Pennsylvania and New Jersey

news image
Special Stories
13 Jul 2021 6:15 AM

Flash Flood Emergency

Life-threatening flooding developed quickly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey Monday night, mainly along the Delaware River where 4-7" of rain had accumulated in a several hour period. With already oversaturated soils from Sunday's storms, Monday's training rain quickly developed into a particularly dangerous situation. A Flash Flood Emergency was been issued for Bensalem and Bristol Pennsylvania and across the state line into New Jersey. Local flooding reports have come in with up to waist-deep water in certain locations. Numerous locations reported completely submerged vehicles. Here is a look at the dangerous and life-threatening flooding: [embed]https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1414719501493358592?s=20[/embed]   After last week's Tropical Storm Elsa dropped tons of rain over the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, more rain will pose a flood risk over the next few days. The humidity connection to the Gulf of Mexico is wide open and that moisture in the atmosphere will be focused along a warm front as the system slowly meanders through the region.

Flood Outlooks

While the areas hit hardest by flooding Monday will see the chance for additional showers, the greater risk for flooding will shift north, mainly along the I-90 corridor through Wednesday. Areas along the NJ/PA state line could see thunderstorms deposit an additional inch or two of water, mainly on Wednesday, along with the chance for a few strong thunderstorms. While this likely won't lead to flash flooding, areas that have already received heavy rain this week will be more susceptible. The flood threat drops to a marginal threat on Wednesday, and is focused across the I-90 corridor in New York and the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont.  

Set Up

How much rain has fallen recently?  Doppler radar estimates come in as high as over 6" in some locations over the past 5 days. Much of this rain came courtesy of the tropical storm.  If you're to compare this rainfall with how much would typically fall over the past 4 weeks, we're working on the order of over 3 times as much rain in that amount of time!

Forecast Totals

Our forecast data have been consistent with indicating some specific spots could receive over 3"-4" of rain, hence the flash flood threat. Stay with WeatherNation for more on the threat for flooding. We will keep you updated with the very latest on-air and online.
All Weather News
More
Pacific Tropics Active as El Niño Fuels Two Tropical Storms

Pacific Tropics Active as El Niño Fuels Two Tropical Storms

The Pacific hurricane season is showing no si

30 Aug 2026 1:25 AM
Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

It has been an active summer for portions of

30 Aug 2026 1:20 AM
Western U.S. Enters a Rainier Pattern

Western U.S. Enters a Rainier Pattern

Ready for some fall-like temperatures? Some r

30 Aug 2026 1:20 AM
NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic o

30 Aug 2026 1:10 AM
Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

High pressure continues to dominate the South

29 Aug 2026 6:35 PM
El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

During El Nino, temperatures across the Easte

29 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
East Coast Storm Threat Lingers Friday

East Coast Storm Threat Lingers Friday

Strong storms and flash flooding hammered the

28 Aug 2026 12:40 PM