Heavy rain causes flooding in Quakertown: 'It came down so hard'
Flash floods hit Quakertown neighborhood: 'Somebody has to do something'
Residents in Quakertown spent Wednesday cleaning up after flash flooding on Tuesday left behind significant damage.
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - Heavy downpours Tuesday night in Quakertown caused widespread flooding, leaving some roadways impassable and cars trapped in waterlogged parking lots.
What we know:
Forecasters say nearly 7" of rain came down during Tuesday night's deluge. County officials advised residents to remain indoors as the rain overwhelmed roadways and left vehicles stuck in rising floodwaters.
Homes and businesses weren't spared from the heavy downpours either. FOX 29 News visited one business on Wednesday morning that was using fans to dry out the first floor after floodwaters breached the property.
Forecasters on Tuesday warned about the threat of excessive rainfall in large parts of the area. The National Weather Service also issued a flood watch for the entire Philadelphia area, which included all of Bucks County.
What they're saying:
Neighbors described hearing the storm suddenly and seeing the area quickly flood.
One resident who spoke to FOX 29 News said the rain "came down so hard" and flooded her basement.
"The amount of rain was so much," Brenda said. "It came down so hard, I thought it couldn't come down harder, and it did."
"Out of nowhere we just heard the storm and looked out back, and it was flooded," said one resident.
"I was in the house last night and I heard thunderstorms and everything so I looked out the window and this whole parking lot was flooded," said Eric Dickerson, a Quakertown resident. "I found one of our trash cans, so I start pulling it and next thing you know, the water was up to my knees."
Local perspective:
A rusted oil tank was found in a church parking lot after floating more than 100 feet from its original spot.
Water lines on homes and sheds showed how high the water reached for some neighbors.
Some residents are frustrated by the repeated flooding.
"They should be able to come up with something to be able to stop that flooding," said one neighbor. "Somebody has to do something. We’re tired of it. We wanna move. We can’t take it."
Neighbors spent the day outside assessing property damage and starting cleanup efforts.
Ana Dietz, who has lived on South Fourth Street for 14 years, said flooding has been an ongoing issue.
"We don’t put nothing in the basement. It floods very every time," said Dietz.
FOX 29 cameras captured Dietz’s basement filled with more than five feet of water as she worked to pump it out.
"What a mess. A big mess. I took off work today because I had to clean. I’ll take off tomorrow because I won’t get done today," said Dietz. "My water heater is downstairs so we don’t have any hot water."
Residents are now dealing with water damage, roof damage and other cleanup efforts.
Some shared that the repeated flooding has caused stress and sleepless nights.
"Every time they call for a certain amount of rain, I just panic. I can’t sleep," said one neighbor.
Emergency response and rescues across Quakertown
The Borough activated its emergency operations center as flooding worsened, coordinating a response with multiple departments, emergency services, neighboring fire departments, and outside agencies.
The Quakertown Fire Departments handled 18 emergency calls, including rescuing nine people and two pets from vehicles in floodwater.
Fire crews also responded to three non-emergency calls and evaluated flooded areas throughout the Borough.
The Sellersville Fire Department provided a high-water rescue truck and personnel to help with the response.
The Quakertown Police Department responded to 34 calls for service related to the flooding, assisting residents, monitoring hazards, and managing road closures and reopening as conditions changed.
Eight homes were evacuated due to the flooding, and the Borough's Electric Department safely disconnected power from affected properties.
The department also addressed electrical concerns and helped maintain service, with only limited power interruptions reported.
A temporary shelter was set up at West End Fire Company for evacuated residents.
The American Red Cross met with those displaced to provide information, resources, and assistance.
Borough crews began recovery and assessment immediately after the storm. The Highway Department is working to remove debris and address impacted areas, while Code Enforcement continues to evaluate properties for damage.
What you can do:
Residents whose properties sustained interior flooding are encouraged to contact Code Enforcement at 215-536-5001 and select Code Enforcement or email codeadmin@quakertown.org if they would like their property evaluated or have questions regarding damage.
Residents should also contact their homeowner’s insurance provider to report property damage and determine what next steps may be required. Those with additional trash or yard waste because of the storm should contact Customer Care at 267-347-5009 or customercare@quakertown.org for information regarding proper disposal and collection.
The Borough said it understands many residents are dealing with the effects of the storm and appreciates the community's patience as cleanup and assessments continue.
What we don't know:
It is not clear what specific steps, if any, local officials plan to take to address the ongoing flooding issues in Quakertown. There is no information yet on whether any assistance will be provided to affected residents.