‘Significant Rises’ Along Delaware River Likely, Although Flooding Not Expected

Debris in the Delaware River earlier this week.

With a flood watch covering Eastern Pennsylvania, along with Central and Northern New Jersey, forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS) are focusing on how quickly the area can “dry out” over the coming weekend after an expected deluge Thursday.

Thunderstorms are anticipated in our area beginning early Thursday, and possible rainfall totals of 1-2 inches may be magnified by ground already soaked twice in the last week. That over-saturated land is shedding water into streams and rivers, which keep running unusually high.

Water levels on the Delaware River at the New Hope-Lambertville free bridge are a little below six feet at the present time, and expected to rise to 8.5 feet on Saturday. But NWS forecasters can’t tell for certain how high they’ll go when the river finally crests on Saturday or Sunday. The Delaware River hits flood stage at 13 feet in New Hope and Lambertville.

“At this point, we’re not expecting flooding on the Delaware, but there will be some relatively significant rises,” explained Meteorologist Mike Gorse at the NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly office.

Both streams and rivers are at risk from heavy rains overhead and runoff from tributaries.

“Those that live near rivers and streams should remain alert, especially in the event flooding begins to occur,” added Gorse.

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