Unusually heavy rains drenching much of Pennsylvania from a slow-moving storm have led to flooding, road closures and flight delays.
The National Weather Service said flood watches will remain in effect through Thursday morning across most of southern and eastern Pennsylvania, with two to five inches of rain expected in many areas.
The flight tracking website Flight Aware said more than a quarter of arriving and departing flights were canceled Wednesday at Philadelphia International Airport because of the weather.
Flooding closed dozens of roads in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties along the Brandywine Creek, Neshaminy Creek and Schuylkill River. Flooding near the Schuylkill caused regional rail service to be suspended on the Manayunk/Norristown line through Thursday morning’s commute.
In Bucks County, an apartment building was evacuated due to flooding along the Perkiomen Creek’s east branch, and a supermarket was providing food to residents forced to leave.
Chester County officials warned residents not to drive because so many roadways were covered with water and it was difficult to determine how deep it was.
The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania branch opened several comfort centers in the Philadelphia suburbs for residents needing a respite.
Flood-prone parts of the Susquehanna Valley are expected to see two to four inches of rain by the time the storm system leaves the state Thursday morning.
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