Search Widens For 2 Missing Children In Fatal Bucks Co. Flooding

Updated 5:32 p.m. Monday

UPPER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —The search has expanded Monday for two missing children who were swept away during flash flooding over the weekend that claimed the lives of five people, authorities said.

In a morning press conference, the number of teams and resources used searching for a 9-month-old boy and his 2-year-old sister has "tripled," Upper Makefield Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tim Brewer.

The children have been identified as Matilda (Mattie) Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months old.

RELATED: Family Reveals Identity Of 2 Missing Children In Bucks Co. Flooding

Brewer said the search has expanded to include K-9 units, underwater units, and drones that are focused along a creek.

"We have search teams on foot, and teams in boats searching the Delaware River. We are utilizing drone teams, diver teams, and sonar technology," police said.

He said the search includes units from Bucks, Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery counties along with units from New Jersey.

"This is a massive undertaking," Brewer said in a morning update. "We want to bring these beautiful children home."

Brewer said in an afternoon press conference that the search would continue overnight. He said the search area covers 40 acres south of Route 532.

About six inches of rain fell in a fast-moving storm Saturday afternoon, flooding roads and sweeping away people into the raging floodwaters who had been caught in the deluge.

"We would also like to confirm that the people who got caught in the flash flood did NOT drive into a flooded roadway," Brewer said. "The water came upon them and that there was nothing they could have done to avoid the suddenness of the raging water."

Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck announced the identities of the five victims at the afternoon press conference.

Brewer said the number of resources has tripled because the weather conditions have improved.

Route 532 between Meadowview Drive and Wrightstown Road will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time due to the damage done to the roadway, authorities said.

Taylorsville Road will be closed between Route 532 and Mount Eyre Road.

Other areas may be subject to intermittent road closures due to our search efforts.

"We continue to ask everyone to keep the families in their thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time," police said. "We sincerely appreciate everyone’s concern, support, and understanding as we face this crisis together."

The Upper Makefield Police Department said Sunday that the area was hit with a torrential rainstorm, which caused flash flooding along several areas throughout the township.

The worst of the flooding occurred along Rt. 532 in the area of Stonebridge Crossing Road between Aqueduct Road and Wrightstown Road.

Police said the flash flooding caught numerous motorists by surprise and many were trapped.

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