Flood Watch Issued Throughout Eastern PA After Storm: Latest Updates

EASTERN PA — Heavy rain dumped two to three inches on much of the greater Philadelphia region Wednesday into Thursday, and while the actual precipitation is largely over, the impacts of the storm have just begun.

A flood watch has been issued for all of southeastern Pennsylvania Thursday until 7 p.m. as already swollen rivers and moist ground struggle to accomodate the new rainfall.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," the National Weather Service said. "Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded."

Several local waterways have already reached minor flood stage, which means roadways are at risk of being flooded. Here's where things stand at major waterways in the greater Philadelphia area, according to the Advanced Hyrdologic Prediction Service:

• Schuylkill River in Philadelphia: 11.17 feet (minor flooding)
• Schuylkill River in Norristown: 14,94 feet (minor flooding)
• Perkiomen Creek in Graterford: 13.87 feet (moderate flooding)
• Neshaminy Creek in Langhorne: 9.5 feet (minor flooding)
• Wissahickon Creek in Fort Washington: 10.5 feet (moderate flooding)
• Chester Creek: 8.19 feet (minor flooding)
• Delaware River at Washington Street, Philadelphia: 8.5 feet (minor flooding)
• Delaware River at Washington Crossing, Bucks County: 7.7 feet (has not reached flood stage)

The stretch of the Schuylkill River from Hunting Park Avenue into Manayunk is particularly at risk, forecasters said, noting that the Flat Rock area is already flooded, as is Kelly Drive between Hunting Park Avenue and Falls Bridge.

Drizzle will continue through the day Thursday and into Thursday night, with rain expected to completely stop by the late evening or early morning hours. Friday and the weekend will bring clear and sunny skies, with relatively mild temperatures and highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s approaching New Year's Day.

Here's the full forecast for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service:

Thursday
Areas of drizzle and fog with isolated showers. Cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday night
Patchy drizzle with isolated showers before 8pm, then patchy drizzle between 8pm and 4am. Patchy fog before 4am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 53. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Sunday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

New Year's Day
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.

Monday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30