Heavy rain continues to cause area flooding

In what is fast becoming an all-too-regular headache, the heavens opened again early Monday morning, Aug. 13, and caused a rash of regional road flooding, closing major highways, flooding homes and businesses and bursting stream banks.

Monday morning’s storm dumped as much as 4 inches of rain in some parts of the area, swelling streams and rivers as the already saturated ground refused to absorb more.

“The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is in constant contact with local emergency management to coordinate and respond to flash flooding in many areas today,” Gov. Wolf said in a statement. “Safety is always our priority and I commend the emergency responders for doing all that they can to help those affected by flooding and to ensure Pennsylvanians are informed and safe.”

As of Monday afternoon, nine counties had activated their Emergency Operations Center and PEMA was working closely with them providing assistance when needed, according to the governor’s office.

Later in the wee, Gov. Wolf signed a “disaster emergency” proclamation most of southeastern Pennsylvania. The move allows the state to ask for a federal disaster declaration and seek funding for damages and needed supplies for cleanup.

Parts of both the Schuylkill Expressway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike near King of Prussia were closed to traffic from flooding Aug. 13.

The lower level of the Plaza at King of Prussia Mall experienced flooding issues, with 50 the mall’s 450 stores closing by 3 p.m., including several restaurants in the food court.

A swollen Sprogel’s Run burst over its banks in Lower Pottsgrove, closing Sunnybrook Road and sweeping across the parking lots at the Sunnybrook Ballroom.

In Berks County, water poured down Ehst Road across Route 100 in Washington Township outside Bechtelsville; and Hay Creek completely overran Rustic Park in Birdsboro.

By 5:30 p.m. Monday, the state had announced numerous road closings.

In Montgomery County, nine road closings were announced including:

• Park Avenue/ Pawlings Road from Audubon Road and Appledale Road in Lower Providence Township;

• Waters Street/ Mill Road from Grange Avenue to Mill Road/ Skippack Creek Road in Skippack Township;

• Linfield Trappe Road from Lewis Road in Limerick Township to Township Line Road in Upper Providence Township;

• Sanatoga/ Linfield Road from Limerick Center Road in Limerick to Pleasant View Road in Lower Pottsgrove Township;

In Chester County three road closings were announced by the state including:

• Route 345 between the Intersection of Ridge Road and Bulltown Road in Warwick and Conestoga Road in East Nantmeal;

Roads were also closed in Berks and Chester counties:

• Route 724 between Furnace Street in Birdsboro Borough and Shed Road in Union Township;

• Route 724 between Unionville Road in Union Township and Scholl Road in North Coventry Township.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A reader submitted this photo of flooding on Route 100 at the intersection with Ehst Road just outside Bechtelsville.

EVAN BRANDT — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA As so often happens in heavy rains, the Manatawny Creek flooded low-lying areas of Memorial Park in Pottstown on Aug. 13.

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A swollen Sprogel’s Run overflowed from Monday morning’s torrential rains and not only flooded Sunnybrook Road, forcing its closure, it also flooded the grounds and parking lots of the Sunnybrook Ballroom.

EVAN BRANDT — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA High water on Manatawny Creek was just low enough to slide under the King Street bridge in Pottstown Monday, Aug. 13.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LORI ROHRBACH No one wanted to sit on this bench as Hay Creek burst its bank and flooded Birdsboro’s Rustic Park on Monday, Aug. 13.

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA This unfortunate motorist drove a Cooper Mini into high water on Ellis Woods Road in East Coventry Aug. 13 and was awaiting a tow.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LORI ROHRBACH Floodwaters from Hay Creek swamp a playset in Birdsboro’s Rustic Park on Monday, Aug. 13.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LORI ROHRBACH An overflowing Hay Creek floods Rustic Park in Birdsboro on Monday, Aug. 13.