Bucks County flash flood: What we know
Including information on the victims and other updates
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A sudden downpour caused severe flooding on roadways in the Washington Crossing area of Bucks County, near Houghs Creek, on Saturday evening. Officials have since confirmed that at least five people were killed, and two remain missing. Nearby roads were severely damaged, and volunteers are continuing their search for victims on foot.
Here is what we know so far.
What happened?
A torrential downpour began in Bucks County, causing a flash flood, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The water trapped 11 vehicles on the 1000 block of Washington Crossing Road, including three that were swept away, according to Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer, who said that these vehicles were likely already on the road when the flooding began.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Brewer said, adding he believed Saturday night’s flooding was worse than Hurricane Ida two years ago.
Eight people were rescued from their cars on the roadway, and two were rescued from Houghs Creek. Seventy-five volunteers continue to search for missing victims.
Five people died and two children, a 9-month-old and a 2-year-old, are still missing.
How much rain fell in Washington Crossing?
Approximately 3 to 5 inches of rain fell between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Washington Crossing area on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
NWS officials said that the most rainfall they measured at the time was 4.5 inches, but could not confirm or deny reports from Upper Makefield officials that up to 7 inches of rainfall occurred in the area. The water damaged several roads in the area and they remain closed.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency says to never drive in standing water, noting “mere inches” can carry a vehicle away.
A flash flood warning remained in effect for the area through the early afternoon.
Who are the victims?
We don’t know much yet. Here are some of the details that officials have shared so far:
The two missing victims are 9-month-old Conrad Sheils and 2-year-old Matilda Sheils.
Their mother, Katie Seley, 32, is among the five people who have been found dead. Officials have not yet released the names of the four other people killed.
The family was visiting from Charleston, S.C., and traveling to a barbecue when they encountered fierce flood waters on Route 532 around 5:30 p.m., Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer said. The children’s father, Jim Sheils, got himself and his 4-year-old son out of their vehicle to safety, Brewer said, but Seley, her mother, and the couple’s other two children were swept away.
Three of the deceased victims were found overnight, and a fourth was found Sunday a mile south from the road. The fifth deceased victim was found later Sunday.
The grandmother of the missing children survived and was treated at a local hospital, according to township police.
Brewer explained that the area was “very inaccessible” with steep cliffs, causing much of the search-and-rescue operation to take place on foot. While they are still treating their search as a rescue mission, “we are fairly certain we are in a recovery mode at this time,” he said.
Were the deceased victims found inside of their cars?
None of the deceased victims were found inside of cars, according to the Bucks County coroner.
Officials believe that each of the victims had been inside of a car at one point, and exited their vehicles as the flooding worsened.
What did Gov. Josh Shapiro say?
Gov. Josh Shapiro attended a Sunday afternoon news conference in Upper Makefield and pledged the state’s support.
“This is a moment that calls on all of us to come together to lift up Upper Makefield ... and that is exactly what we are doing,” Shapiro said.