The skies opened up across the Delaware Valley on Sunday, unleashing torrential rains, gusty winds, thunder and lightning. The relentless downpours led to flash flooding that stranded residents and created havoc on roadways. In this article we talk about Flash Floods Ravage South Jersey, Philly Gears Up for Stormy Weather.
South Jersey Neighborhoods Turn into Waterworld
According to 6ABC, In South Jersey, it was a waterworld for some neighborhoods. Streets in Ocean City and elsewhere transformed into rivers, with water levels reaching as high as two feet in some spots. Startling videos emerged of people using paddleboards and kayaks to traverse inundated roads. One woman paddled her way through floodwaters with two young children in tow. Other footage showed vehicles stalled out or nearly submerged along swamped streets.
Highway Havoc and Road Closures
The heavy rains also wreaked havoc on South Jersey highways. Along I-76 in Camden, first responders rushed to the scene after a vehicle overturned in the extreme weather conditions, forcing officials to shut down multiple lanes amid the slippery roads and poor visibility.
Philadelphia’s Soggy Sunday
Up the road in Philadelphia, it was a steamy, soggy Sunday for most residents. Though some braved the humidity and thunderstorm threats to enjoy the weekend, many opted to remain indoors to avoid the unpleasant conditions. City events even faced cancellations due to the severe weather, including the Wawa Welcome America Gospel concert on Independence Mall.
Downed Trees and Power Outages
Strong winds and drenching rains also downed trees and power lines in some neighborhoods, like in Lower Merion where firefighters responded to fallen branches and wires. This left some residents temporarily without electricity.
Flash Flooding in Wilmington
And in Delaware, Wilmington dealt with considerable flash flooding of its own. Emergency crews headed to Governor Printz Boulevard, rescuing numerous motorists trapped by the rapidly rising waters. Between stalled and flooded vehicles, the storms made traveling extremely hazardous across the greater metro area.
While flash flood warnings have expired, more storms may still be in store this week. Residents should take care to avoid flood-prone roads, pay attention to weather alerts and prepare for potential power outages. As climate change fuels weather extremes, powerful summer thunderstorms may become more frequent hazards to prepare for. I sincerely hope you find this “Flash Floods Ravage South Jersey, Philly Gears Up for Stormy Weather-Find Out Details” article helpful.
Skylar Lacey, a Travel and Tourism Management graduate from Temple University, offers 5 years of experience in travel writing and airport logistics at PhiladelphiaAirport.net. Her expertise helps travelers make the most of their journeys through Philadelphia International Airport. Connect with her on Instagram for more travel tips and insights.