Flash Flood Kills 7, Tornado Confirmed In Newtown: Top Stories Of 2023

NEWTOWN, PA — The year 2023 will be remembered for a lot of things in the Newtown area, but it was a weather event in July that broke our hearts.

In July, a sudden heavy thunderstorm rolled through the area dumping torrential rain on parts of Wrightstown, Newtown and Upper Makefield. The storm hit especially hard in Upper Makefield where seven lost their lives, including a 9-month-old baby boy, his 2-year-old sister and their mother, when a section of Route 532 was suddenly turned into a raging torrent.

Weather also made headlines earlier in the year when a rare tornado touched down in portions of Wrightstown, Newtown Township and Newtown Borough during a severe storm on April 1. Trees were uprooted and a decorative roof at a shopping center was torn off.

The year 2023 also will be remembered for the decisions made by local government, which will shape the future of the area for decades to come.

On the same night Newtown Township approved the construction of a Wawa on the Newtown Bypass following a protracted legal battle with Provco, the supervisors gave Capitol Grille conditional use approval to open a restaurant at the Village at Newtown Shopping Center.

And at year's end, Newtown Borough officials approved revised final plans for the second phase of the Steeple View redevelopment project, the largest in the borough's history. The approval opens the door to the redevelopment of 9 acres of land including the former Stockburger property on South State Street.

Here's a recap of the top stories of 2023:

Exhaustive Search Ends For 7-Month-Old Flood Victim In Upper Makefield

Seven people, including a 9-month-old infant boy and his 2-year-old sister died when a torrential storm turned Route 532 into a raging torrent on July 15. Motorists were caught by surprise by the rising water and swept away by the force of the current. Emergency responders worked exhaustively to save the victims who ranged in age from 9-months to 78.

EF1 Tornado Strikes Newtown/Wrightstown In April

Packing winds of up to 105 mph at its peak, a tornado touched down on April 1 in Wrightstown, and followed a path through Newtown Township and into Newtown Borough. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured and only property damage was reported along the tornado's path.

Newtown Township Settles Wawa Litigation; Store Coming To The Bypass

After years of debate, litigation and more debate, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors approved a settlement agreement with Wawa opening the door to the township's first convenience store and gas station. The agreement passed by the supervisors limits the number of gas dispensers and signage and adds solar panels and EV charging stations.

Capital Grille Wins Approval To Open Upscale Steakhouse In Newtown

On the same night the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors approved the construction of a Wawa convenience store, it gave Capital Grille approval to open an upscale steakhouse at the Village at Newtown Shopping Center. Supervisor Elen Snyder calls the restaurant's decision to locate here "a feather in the cap" of Newtown Township.

Steeple View Redevelopment Project Wins Final Approval In Newtown

In December, the Newtown Borough Council voted to approve revised final plans for the Steeple View project, which will see nine acres of the town redeveloped over the next few years. The mixed-use development will bring up to 88 new apartments and 12,000 square feet of new retail/restaurant space to Newtown along with a public piazza and a greenway.