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Philadelphia Weather: Dangerous Storms Trigger Flash Floods, Stranding Residents And Vehicles Across Region

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Dangerous storms packed with lightning, wind and rain stranded residents and triggered flash floods across the region. During Wednesday's evening commute, flooded roads detoured many drivers and stranded others.

Although flood zones are in the process of receding, there is still significant ponding on various stretches of roadways, including Kelly Drive in Philadelphia. Martin Luther King Drive is also blocked off in areas because of the toll Wednesday's storms took.

Tornado Briefly Touches Down In New Jersey As Severe Storms Move Through Region

At the height of rush hour, the bottom dropped out on. On MLK Drive, fallen trees stopped vehicles in their tracks while some drivers took a major risk and pushed through deep waters.

flooding
Credit: CBS3

In Delaware County, a Haverford Township parking lot turned river-like, trapping cars where they sat in their tracks. One man was forced to wade to his truck.

waterford apartment complex
(credit: Monica Miller)

The basement of a Broomall condo complex had to be evacuated by fire personnel due to rising water.

A giant sinkhole opened up outside of the Giant on the 2900 block of Springfield in Broomall after the storms. A car was spotted teetering on the edge of that sinkhole on Wednesday night. No one was hurt.

A neighborhood sewer drain in Aston was no match for the flood waters as they pushed up to homes.

And in Bethlehem, the storm hit with a vengeance, leaving homes and roadways littered with downed power line sand trees. One even smashed through the roof of the rear windshield of a parked car.

bethlehem tree down
Credit: CBS3

There is still some ponding out there on Wednesday night. Not all of the roads are blocked off, making the flooding difficult to see.

Haverford Township police say crews have made multiple water rescues due to people driving into standing water. No injuries were reported.

 

The storms also caused problems during rush hour. NJ Transit said the River Line was suspended between Walter Rand Transportation Center and the Waterfront Entertainment Complex due to flooding.

Several SEPTA lines experienced delays of up to 45 minutes due to overhead power problems.

In the city, streets were flooded, including at the intersection of 5th and Market Streets.

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