Montgomery County, PA

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DECLARE

DISASTER EMERGENCY DUE TO FLOODING

NORRISTOWN — The Montgomery County Commissioners declared a disaster emergency Wednesday as a result of flooding from torrential rains in recent days.

This declaration enables the County and municipalities affected by the flooding to apply for state and federal aid to cover costs associated with responding to the emergency. It will also enable residents and businesses that experienced flooding to apply for state and federal low-interest loans and grants to help them recover.

About 45 separate water rescues had to be performed throughout the County Wednesday, mostly in the morning, as commuters set out for work while flooding conditions were worsening.

Municipalities hardest hit by the flooding include: Pottstown, Upper Dublin, Conshohocken, Norristown, West Norriton, Bridgeport, Hatfield, Whitemarsh, Upper Moreland, Lower Moreland, Upper Providence and Lower Providence.

The flooding spread to homes, businesses and other buildings throughout the day as runoff continued to build into the evening hours.

A shelter was activated at Jeffersonville Golf Club at 2400 W. Main Street, Jeffersonville, for those who had to be evacuated by the flooding.

The Montgomery County Emergency Operations Center has been active since 4 p.m. Tuesday and will likely remain operational for several days.

Commissioner Chairman Thomas Jay Ellis will tour the hardest hit areas with Public Safety Director Thomas Sullivan Thursday while preliminary damage assessments get underway.

County facilities escaped unharmed for the most part, but there was flooding at the Central Perkiomen Valley Park offices and major portions of the County recreational trail system are closed. Residents are asked to not use the trail system for at least 24 hours to allow flood waters to recede and let County Parks personnel clear debris.

A large number of Country roadways remain closed Wednesday evening. A partial list follows:

Limerick:

1.      Main Street Bridge connecting Chester County

2.      Wells Road and Linfield Road

Lower Moreland Township

1.      Huntingdon Pike between Lower Welsh and Philmont

2.      Terwood Road between Valley and Welsh Roads

Lower Providence:

1.      Port Providence between Container and Fitzwater

2.      Pawlings Road @ the Schuylkill River

Marlborough:

1.      Swamp Creek Road- Partially closed

Royersford:

1.      First Avenue- Completely Closed

Skippack

1.      Skippack Creek Road

2.      Stumphall Road

3.      Plank Road

4.      Graterford Road to SCIG

Upper Dublin:

1.      Turnpike Entrance at Route 309

Upper Merion:

1.      South Gulph Road and Church Road

2.      River Road at Swedeland Road

Upper Providence:

1.      Route 29 Bridge at Walnut Street

2.      Port Providence between Container and Fitzwatertown Road

3.      Pinetown between Egypt & Pinetown

West Conshohocken:

1.      River Road

2.      Front St (Route 23)

3.      Bar Harbor Drive

West Norriton

1.      Riverview Landing

Whitemarsh:

1.      Haines Drive @ Fields Drive

2.      Kottler Drive @ Fields Drive

3.      Thomas Road between Jackson Drive and Kottler Drive

4.      River Road @ Harts Lane

5.      Stenton Avenue @ Militia Hill Road

6.      Stenton Avenue between Flourtown and Mill Roads

7.      Mathers Road between Skippack Pike and Bethlehem Pike

8.      Valley Green Road between Cricket Road and Bethlehem Pike

9.      Lafayette Avenue between the connector and Skippack Pike