Flash flooding inundated the Levittown area Tuesday evening as powerful thunderstorms rolled through the region, bringing gusty winds and torrential downpours.
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The severe weather caused significant flash flooding in Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Falls Township, Middletown Township, and Tullytown Borough.
A number of roads were blocked by flooding. Among the affected roads were Trenton Road, Vermillion Way, Cedar Avenue, Ice Pond Road, Goldenridge Drive, Oaktree Drive, Parkway Drive, Indian Creek Drive, and Green Lane.
By Wednesday morning’s commute, the waters had receded and the roads had reopened.
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In Bristol Borough and Bristol Township, emergency responders were kept busy with reports of vehicles trapped in rising floodwaters.
According to dispatch records, police and firefighters responded to multiple water rescue and vehicles in water calls.
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Kevin Dippolito, Bristol Township’s fire marshal and emergency management coordinator, reported that firefighters responded to eight incidents involving vehicles stuck in floodwaters, with some drivers requiring rescue.
Just before 10:45 p.m. at BTEC Manufacturing Solutions on Cedar Avenue in Bristol Township’s Croydon section, a 50-foot-by-75-foot section of the roof collapsed, Croydon Fire Company Chief Tom Tryon said.
Employees had been in the area where the roof came down while on break an hour earlier, according to the chief.
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In addition to the roof collapse, a portion of the building’s wall was found to be bowed out.
An engineer will be required to survey the building to determine the extent of the damage, Tryon said.
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“The sheer amount of rain that came down at one time caused the roof to collapse,” Tryon said.
No serious injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
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The National Weather Service reported 3.9 inches of rain fell by late Tuesday night in Bristol. At the Bristol Township Municipal Complex, a total of 4 inches of rain was recorded over the course of the day, officials said.
The Delaware River and Neshaminy Creek did not spill their banks in the area.
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While there were some power outages in the Levittown area following the winds and rain, no major outages lasted into Wednesday.
Forecasters had issued warnings ahead of the storms and cautioned of potential flooding, strong winds, and other impacts.
The National Weather Service has warned that there will be a continued flooding risk in the coming days as more rain is expected from the remnants of Hurricane Debby.
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The forecast ahead:
Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 73. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 83. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday: Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
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