Buckingham Elementary School is closed today after heavy rains caused flooding on the Lahaska Creek, blocking access to the school on Route 413. The closure includes both before- and after-school care programs, the district said on the school’s website.
The rain that pelted the area overnight and into this morning had emergency services crews responding to water rescues and stranded vehicles across Central Bucks County, and forced the temporary closure of multiple roads.
However, at least some of those roads had been reopened by noon.
Bucks County had received between 2 inches and 3.65 inches of rain as of mid-morning and was not expected to receive more than an additional half-inch of rain as the “back edge” of the weather system passes over the region today, said Sarah Johnson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, N.J.
Johnson said the Neshaminy Creek is at moderate flood stage at Langhorne and is continuing to rise, but should be cresting at moderate flood stage by mid-afternoon, before falling during late afternoon or early evening.
She said the freshwater portion of the Delaware River, located in Bucks County, is expected to continue rising for the next day. “Most of the river is expected to remain below flood stage, with the exception of Riegelsville, which is currently forecast to crest right at minor flood stage during the daytime tomorrow,” Johnson said. “That’s something we’re keeping our eyes on.”
Among the road closures due to flooding today was New Hope Road at Creek Road in Buckingham. Although the road is now reopened, the township reported standing water on various roadways in the township is still an issue and drivers are urged to be cautious.
In Doylestown Township, police said, several roads had become impassable as of 6:30 a.m. and were closed due to rising water.
The closures included the following locations: Rickerts Road between Pine Run Road and Ferry Road; the intersection of Pine Run and Chapman roads; Almshouse Road between Lower State and Upper State roads; Shady Retreat Road between Burpee and Iron Hill roads; and Pebble Hill Road between Sugarbottom and Wilkshire roads.
Also closed was North Pine Street (Route 413) between Winchester and Bridgetown in Langhorne due to Neshaminy Creek flooding. Drivers were advised to use Langhorne Yardley Road to Winchester.
Middletown Township Police reported that Bridgetown Pike was closed this morning between Route 413 and Langhorne Yardley Road.
Officials are urging drivers not to drive onto flooded roads and not to disregard road closed barricades.
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