Winter storm brings heavy rain, high winds and flooding across Bucks County

A powerful storm moved into Bucks County on Tuesday and its heavy rains and winds left thousands without power, scores of roads flooded and closed and emergency crews busy.

Winds lashed the region for hours and more than 2 inches of rain, and in some places up to 4 inches, fell by the time the storm moved out overnight, according to the forecast by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

Emergency crews spent the night assessing damage and clearing downed trees, dealing with flood waters as local streams and creeks spilled their banks and trying to restore power for thousands left in the dark.

In Warwick, crews rescued two people stranded in their vehicle in flood water, officials said. It was one of six marine rescues the county reported during the storm.

While there were no reports of damage to any infrastructure, at the height of the storm some 100 roads were closed due to flooding or fallen trees. Many roads had opened by Wednesday morning.

More: Fatal Lower Southampton fire under investigation. Family lost power in storm

The heaviest rains came before midnight and the region was saw clearing skies Wednesday morning but the winds were forecast to remain. As the ground is saturated, officials cautioned that falling trees would remain a threat.

"Rainfall in Bucks County generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches depending on where you were, based on measurements at around 4:30 Wednesday morning," said Joe DeSilva, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "In terms of wind, there were 45 mph gusts across Bucks County during the storm, and the top speed of 49 mph was recorded in Newbold, and that was at 9:42 p.m. Tuesday.

"For Wednesday, we have a wind advisory up for the entire area, and we expect gusts in the 40-50 mph range throughout the day," DeSilva added. "Strong gusts can definitely be expected on Wednesday."

Also another storm that could dump additional rain on the region was in the forecast for Friday. It could bring anoth 1.5 inches of rain overnight Friday into Saturday, the NWS said Wednesday.

Neshaminy Creek flooding

The flood-prone Neshaminy Creek in Lower Bucks County overflowed its banks Tuesday night and reached just over 13.91 feet, its highest recording during this storm event by Wednesday morning.

The creek in the region, including Hulmeville and parts of Middletown and Lower Southampton, reaches flood stage at about 9 feet and is now approaching major flood stage at 14 feet.

At 5 a.m., the creek was recorded at 13.76 feet, but NWS maps showed it should begin to recede throughout the morning.

Despite the flooding, traffic moved smoothly in neighborhoods along the flooded Neshaminy Creek on Wednesday. Boats that would be used for rescue or escape in more severe flooding remained covered in rear yards along the water.

Residents went about their morning as usual, leaving for work. One house, raised up years ago by the county to avoid floodwaters, seemed serene,  even as water rushed around its foundation. Christmas lights could be seen inside, blazing, as if it was just another morning.

Storm impacts Bucks County

The Bucks County Emergency Operations Center opened at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

"We're looking at the usual spots along the Neshaminy for flooding," said county spokesman Jim O’Malley.

More: Storm cancels Bucks County school activities as wind, flooding expected

He said the county was experiencing downed trees and wires and flooding as the rain and wind continue Tuesday night.

Along the Delaware, River Road between Taylorsville Road and Route 532 in Upper Makefield is closed, officials said.

“Some road closures have already been reported, and motorists should be aware of hazardous road conditions arising from flooding, fallen trees and downed power lines,” according to the county.

“Residents are reminded not to drive into flooded roadways. It takes just a few inches of water to move a vehicle.”

Lower Makefield Police Chief Kenneth Coluzzi said Tuesday night that there are "trees and wires down in multiple areas.”

A large tree was reported down across Tyburn Road at Lincoln Highway in Falls, and several roads were also closed in Northampton and Doylestown as the heavy rain fell Tuesday night with strong wind gusts.

The Pennsylvania State Police at Trevose said there are tree hazards on the highway but Interstates 95 and 295 are not closed as of 8 p.m.

Delaware River flooding

With the storm moving out, the county's focus is on the Neshaminy and Delaware.

NWS forecasters said to expect moderate flooding on the creek, which can threaten homes and businesses in the area. But, by Wednesday morning the creek surpassed forecasts and neared major flood stage.

“Tidal flooding along the Delaware River also is a possibility this evening, especially during high tide. In Bucks County, tidal flooding typically affects areas near and to the south of Morrisville,” the county said in a release.

O’Malley said on Wednesday and Thursday attention will turn to the Delaware River, which rises slower than the creek.

In Bristol, the Delaware has already creeped into Riverfront Park on Tuesday as the river was still swollen from earlier storms over the weekend. On Wednesday, crews were putting up barricades near the park to keep cars out in case the river crested later in the day or Thursday.

By high tide, around 1 p.m., the Delaware had overtaken the park and part of the access road to the municipal parking lot.

Bucks County schools open late Wednesday

Schools throughout Bucks County heeded the warnings and canceled night-time and after-school activities.

Superintendents from school districts around the county met with county emergency management officials Tuesday and most have already announced two-hour delayed opening for Wednesday.

Morrisville, Bristol Borough, Neshaminy, Bristol Township, Council Rock, Quakertown, Bensalem, Pennsbury, New Hope-Solebury, Pennridge and Central Bucks all announced delays. Conwell-Egan Catholic will also open two hours late.

“This will be a challenging event with rapidly changing conditions, and we ask the public to avoid unnecessary travel if possible," said said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "If you must travel, please exercise caution, check 511PA.com for the latest conditions, and give our crews space to safely and effectively respond to the storm.

Check and report power outages in Bucks County

To check out power outages, and estimated restoration times, visit the provider websites for their maps.

PECO outages can be found here. As of 11 p.m., PECO's power outage map showed multiple outages throughout Southeastern  Pennsylvania, including more than 12,000 customers affected in  Bucks County. Over 115,000 PECO customers were without power throughout the region.

By Wednesday morning, power had been restored to all but about 6,400 customers in Bucks County. The hardest hit areas appeared to be Falls, Bristol, Bensalem, Lower Makefield and Morrisville.

PPL outages can be found here. As of 11:30 p.m., some 920 Bucks County customers were without power. Over 21,200 customers throughout the state reported outages to PPL. By Wednesday morning, about 778 customers were still without power in Bucks.

First Energy outages can be found here. As of 11 p.m., about 850 customers in Upper Bucks County reported outages.By the morning, outages were reported by 820 customers. Some 30,000 customers statewide were without power.

PECO reported just before 9 p.m. that about 9,817 customers were without power, less than 5% of the 228,479 customers served in Bucks.

At the height of the storm, about 30 townships and boroughs in Bucks had at least five customers without power two hours after county officials warned the worst part of Tuesday's storm was beginning.

Staff writers Peg Quann, Damon Williams and Chris Ullery contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Winter storm brings rain, high wind and flood warnings to Bucks County