BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A series of intense downpours swept through the Lehigh Valley on Monday, flooding roads and prompting flash flood warnings across the region. Officials warn it could continue into the week.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Monday evening for Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, as storms dumped heavy rain across parts of the Valley. In Emmaus, more than 2.3 inches of rain fell in two hours.
While some areas were inundated, others — including Lehigh Valley International Airport — saw only a fraction of an inch by early evening.
Emergency crews responded to numerous reports of flooded roads, particularly in southern Lehigh County. Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township was among the hardest hit, along with Main Road East and West near Leibert Creek in Upper Milford Township.
A flood watch remained in effect through early Tuesday morning, with the National Weather Service warning that some spots could see more than 3 inches of rain before the system moved out.
“Torrential rainfall Monday produced 5 to 6 inches in parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” the National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center said in a statement. “Scattered storms today from Virginia to the Delmarva are expected to produce 1 to 2 inches of rainfall, locally higher. Mostly small new rises are expected on rivers and creeks.”
The storms were fueled by deep tropical moisture clashing with an incoming cold front — a setup that allowed intense rainfall to develop quickly and linger over isolated areas.
Although floodwaters have since receded in many locations, officials warn that saturated ground and already elevated stream levels could make the region vulnerable to more flooding if additional storms develop Tuesday.
Forecasters said scattered thunderstorms are possible again Tuesday evening, with the potential for heavy rainfall in some areas. Residents are urged to stay alert for additional weather advisories and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
Local authorities continue to monitor stream levels and are encouraging residents in flood-prone areas to remain cautious as unsettled weather lingers in the forecast.
