Andrea brings heavy rain, flooding to Philadelphia region
The remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea continued to drop heavy rains onto the Philadelphia area early Friday evening. A flood watch remains in effect for the region through Saturday. The good news: It will dry up before tomorrow evening.
By late afternoon Friday, the deluge – which has brought 2 to 3.5 inches -- had flooded roads and caused dozens of minor traffic accidents. On Long Beach Island at the Jersey Shore, several roads were reported to be near impassable. A flash flood warning was in effect until 10:30 p.m. for Cumberland and Salem Counties in South Jersey.
Up to two more inches could fall before it system finishes passing through.
"Things will start clearing out probably through tomorrow morning through the afternoon," said meteorologist Valerie Meleo. "There may be some lingering showers, but conditions should improve throughout the day. "
The National Weather Service's flood watch covers much of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
On average, just less than 3.5 inches of rain falls throughout June in Philadelphia, meaning the area could get an entire month's worth of rain in a day.
The heaviest rains are expected this evening. Some thunderstorms are also possible.
"A copious amount of moisture surging into the region ahead of and accompanying Cyclone Andrea could certainly result in urban and small stream flooding," a weather service forecast discussion says.
The rain -- expected to be the heaviest the region has seen since Superstorm Sandy -- may pose problems for travelers.
A brief period of strong winds will sweep the East Coast from North Carolina to Massachusetts, according to AccuWeather.
The weather service says wind gusts of up to 40 mph are possible along the New Jersey and Delaware coasts. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph are expected inland east of Interstate 95, and areas west of I-95 are likely to see 25 mph gusts.
Lows tonight will be in the low 60s in Philadelphia, with temps in the high 50s to the north and west of the city. A high near 82 degrees is forecasted for Saturday.
Andrea is expected to move on from the region by Saturday morning. Isolated showers and thunderstorms may occur Sunday, when the high is expected to be around 86 degrees.
Contact Emily Babay at 215-854-2153 or ebabay@philly.com. Follow @emilybabay on Twitter.
Contact the Breaking News Desk at 215-854-2443; BreakingNewsDesk@philly.com. Follow @phillynews on Twitter.
Previously:
Tropical Storm Andrea is expected to bring heavy rains to the Philadelphia region, and a flood watch is in effect for the area.
The National Weather Service's flood watch covers much of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
Periods of heavy rainfall are expected through the day, and rainfall is predicted to continue through Saturday evening. The weather service says most areas should see two to four inches of rain, with up to five inches falling in some parts of the region.
On average, just less than 3.5 inches of rain falls throughout June in Philadelphia, meaning the area could get an entire month's worth of rain in a day.
At times, the rainfall rate could be one to two inches per hour, forecasters say. The heaviest rains are expected this evening. Some thunderstorms are also possible.
"A copious amount of moisture surging into the region ahead of and accompanying Cyclone Andrea could certainly result in urban and small stream flooding," a weather service forecast discussion says.
The rain -- which is expected to be the heaviest the region has seen since Superstorm Sandy -- may pose problems for travelers.
By 9 a.m., Philadelphia International Airport was already seeing flight delays due to the weather. Shortly before 11:30 a.m., the airport said rain delays were averaging more than two hours.
Flooding of some roadways and poor drainage areas is expected, the weather service says. Some creek and river flooding could also occur.
Flooding is most likely if more than three inches of rain falls.
A brief period of strong winds will sweep the East Coast from North Carolina to Massachusetts, according to AccuWeather.
The weather service says wind gusts of up to 40 mph are possible along the New Jersey and Delaware coasts. Gusts of 25 to 35 mph are expected inland east of Interstate 95, and areas west of I-95 are likely to see 25 mph gusts.
The high temperature today is expected to be around 73 degrees. A high near 82 degrees is forecasted for Saturday.
Andrea is expected to move on from the region by Saturday morning. Isolated showers and thunderstorms may occur Sunday, when the high is expected to be around 86 degrees.