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
Late Week Storm System Brings a Different Pattern

Late Week Storm System Brings a Different Pattern

The holidays make it hard to keep track of wh

5 Jan 2026 12:30 AM
Record-Breaking Warmth for the Upcoming Week

Record-Breaking Warmth for the Upcoming Week

While there will be a temporary break in reco

5 Jan 2026 12:25 AM
Snow Returns to Ski Country

Snow Returns to Ski Country

It's been a slow start to the ski season for

5 Jan 2026 12:25 AM
Flooding, Severe Storms, and Snow Take Aim at California

Flooding, Severe Storms, and Snow Take Aim at California

A Pacific low will continue to unload heavy p

5 Jan 2026 12:20 AM
Wintry Weather Expected From the Midwest to Northeast

Wintry Weather Expected From the Midwest to Northeast

Persistent lake-effect snow and a series of f

5 Jan 2026 12:00 AM
Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

After colder air settles into the Southeast e

4 Jan 2026 3:00 AM
Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Northern U.S.In the North-Central U.S., an Al

3 Jan 2026 2:00 AM