Two area municipalities on Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2024) between 2:45 and 3:10 p.m. issued unrelated warnings to their residents and visitors regarding the sever storm forecast by the National Weather Service during the next two days.
From the Weather Service
As of Tuesday at 1:26 p.m., the National Weather Service for the Philadelphia region declared a flood watch in Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties. It also singled out the boroughs of Pottstown, Collegeville, West Chester, and Honey Brook for specific flood watch warnings. A flood watch designates areas where “flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible,” the weather service stated.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the weather service explained. “Area creeks and streams are running high, and could flood with more heavy rain,” it added. It urged “those living in areas prone to flooding (to) be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”
Rainfall of 2 to 3 inches, with locally up to 4 inches, (is) possible through Tuesday night, with heaviest rain expected during evening hours. “The ground remains very saturated following multiple rounds of heavy rainfall over the last month, weather service forecasters observed. The storm’s impacts are anticipated to last through Wednesday afternoon, they noted.
Earlier Tuesday the weather service also issued a high wind advisory for all three counties. Separately, it also issued a hazardous weather outlook for western Montgomery County.
In Pottstown Borough
“Due to the impending flood event,” the borough of Pottstown said on its website and in notifications to its subscribers, both entrances of Memorial Park on West High and Manatawny streets, and the west entrance of Riverfront Park on College Drive, “are closed until further notice.”
The borough also noted that barricades will be erected at those locations to halt traffic. “Please do not go around barricades for any reason. Turn around, don’t drown!,” it warned.
In Lower Salford Township
Having already experienced rainfall Tuesday morning, Lower Salford told its residents and visitors in an alert e-mail that it’s “expecting the rain to become even heavier overnight and into tomorrow. Additionally, wind gusts will be strong and there could be damage and power outages.”
“If possible,” the township suggested, “stay indoors and monitor weather conditions. Make sure your devices have a full charge, just in case power is lost. If you must travel, give yourself additional time to get to your destination and never, ever attempt to drive through a flooded highway. Turn around, don’t drown,” it similarly added.
As always in an emergency, call 911, it concluded.
Photo by Travels With The Post
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