NEW STORY: Up to 6 inches of rain in Lehigh Valley leads to flash flooding and water rescues. More rain expected this week.
Excessive rainfall caused flash flooding as showers and thunderstorms moved across the Lehigh Valley, eastern Pennsylvania and part of New Jersey on Monday evening.
The National Weather Service has issued several flash flood warnings across the region. One was in effect for southeastern Lehigh, southern Northampton and northwestern Bucks counties in Pennsylvania until 9:30 p.m. That warning also included southwestern Morris, northern Hunterdon and southern Warren counties in New Jersey.
Another warning is in effect just to the north affecting the rest of Northampton County, as well as north central Lehigh, southern Carbon and central Monroe counties until 9 p.m. That warning also included Warren and west central Morris counties in New Jersey.
Berks, southwestern Bucks, northwestern Chester and northwestern Montgomery counties also were upgraded to a flash flood warning that was in effect until 9:45 p.m.
Just after 6:15 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms were continuing to produce heavy rain across the area. Anywhere between 1.5 and 3 inches of rain had already fallen, with an additional half-inch of rain still possible.
Flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly, occurring to the warnings.
Areas where flash flooding was reported included the area of Route 309 and Hopewell Road in Upper Saucon Township, near Saucon Creek. A water rescue was reported there, with at least one vehicle having water up to its floor boards, and another vehicle that was possibly stuck but not taking on water, according to the Emergency Alerts County of Lehigh page on Facebook. Photos showed the road covered in several feet of water.
Similar flooding was reported on roads in the Lanark area of Upper Saucon Township. In Center Valley, Route 309 was closed at Route 378.
In Upper Milford Township, significant flooding was reported at Dillingersville and Church View roads. In Monroe County, numerous roads were reported to be flooded in the Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg areas, according to the weather service.
Flooding was affecting small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, as well as other drainage and low lying areas, according to the weather service.
Motorists encountering flooded roads were reminded not to attempt driving through floodwaters, and instead to turn around.
The entire region was under a flood watch through 2 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Earlier Monday, the weather service said there was a moderate risk of excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.
“Numerous flash floods can be anticipated across portions of the region due to scattered thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall,” the weather service’s Mount Holly, New Jersey, forecast office posted on X.
???? There is a Moderate Risk (3/4) of excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding beginning this afternoon into tonight. Numerous flash floods can be anticipated across portions of the region due to scattered thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/5wvkkRGqsk
Forecasters with the local weather service said about 2 p.m. that storms were starting to develop over portions of their coverage area, which includes parts Bucks County, Philadelphia, parts of New Jersey and all of Delaware. The line of showers and storms was expected to leave the area after midnight.
Total rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches were possible in some areas, according to the weather service.
While the main threat from Monday’s storms was flooding, “a few isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging winds are possible,” the weather service said. Forecasters also said there could be some fog as well.
Here is the extended forecast:
Tuesday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.