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Kelly Drive reopens to traffic after flooding, debris from storm

The closure ran from Fountain Green Drive to Reservoir Drive and from Calumet Street to Hunting Park Avenue.

Philadelphia Streets Department employees on Kelly Drive near Midvale Avenue, clearing the roadway of mud after flood water went over bank of Schuylkill River.
Philadelphia Streets Department employees on Kelly Drive near Midvale Avenue, clearing the roadway of mud after flood water went over bank of Schuylkill River.Read moreAlejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
    by Beatrice Forman
    Updated 
    Published 

Kelly Drive reopened Thursday afternoon after crews spent the morning assessing the damage of Tuesday night’s storm and Wednesday’s subsequent flooding.

Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management initially closed Kelly Drive from Fountain Green Drive to Reservoir Drive and from Calumet Street to Hunting Park Avenue on Tuesday to brace for flooding of the Schuylkill River.

The river peaked at over 12 feet Wednesday before leaving the flood stage. After the water receded, crews worked to clear a thick layer of mud, as well as fallen branches and other debris, that had accumulated on the roadway.

    Beatrice Forman
    Bluesky
    Threads
    I'm a food writer who covers how trends are reshaping Philadelphia's dynamic food scene, from the growth of Philly's restaurant merch to why venture capital-backed chains can't stop coming to our city. I also cover labor dynamics — and changes to the workplace — within the hospitality industry.