Crime & Safety

GoFundMe Launched For Mercer Woman Killed In PA Floods

Susan Barnhart of Hopewell was among five victims of the flash flooding Saturday. Her dog who was with her survived.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family of Sarah Barnhart, one of five victims from Saturday's flash flooding in Upper Makefield Township.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family of Sarah Barnhart, one of five victims from Saturday's flash flooding in Upper Makefield Township. (Photo Courtesy of Sarah Orfe)

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A GoFundMe page has been created for the Mercer County woman who was killed in Saturday's flash flooding in PA.

The GoFundMe was created to support the family of Susan Barnhart, a Hopewell resident who died of drowning from the storm which swept away the victims in the raging floodwaters and into Houghs Creek.

The Upper Makefield Township Police Department said they knew Barnhart.

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"We personally knew Susan Barnhart since she worked at the Washington Crossing Post Office. She was always so welcoming and kind to us and we will miss her deeply," the police department said.

The GoFundMe page was created Tuesday by Sarah Orfe and seeks donations to help support Barnhart's 80-year-old mother.

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"We've lost our dear friend and neighbor, Susan Barnhardt, during the tragic flash flooding event on July 15," said Orfe, who was Barnhart's next-door neighbor for a decade. "Susan was an incredibly friendly, kind, and generous person, a lover of animals, and she leaves behind, among others, her 80-year-old mother, Pat, who she has been caring for. Pat will be the recipient of your generosity. All donations are appreciated and we thank you for sharing your kindness and support."

Orfe said that while Barnhart died in the flood, her dog who was with her survived.

"Someone found him wandering (we assume towards home) in Washington Crossing Sunday afternoon, collar and leash still on, and brought him home," she told Patch in a Facebook Messenger chat Wednesday. "Susan loved that dog so dearly. It's so amazing that he survived."

More than $7,500 of the $10,000 goal has been raised on the GoFundMe page so far.

Have a correction or a news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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