A line of slow-moving thunderstorms brought torrential rain to Berks County Thursday afternoon, triggering a Flash Flood Warning and leaving several roadways under water.
Reading set a new daily rainfall record for Thursday, July 31, with 2.68 inches measured as of 5 p.m., breaking the previous record of 2.56 inches set in 1887. In one of the most intense downpours of the day, a Keystone Mesonet site at Penn State Berks recorded 3.32 inches of rain in just 42 minutes.
Flooding quickly developed in low-lying areas and underpasses, stranding drivers and forcing emergency crews to close multiple roads. In Reading, deep water filled the Spring Street Subway, trapping several vehicles. On Route 12 near Route 422 and Route 61, multiple cars became stuck in floodwaters, backing up traffic. North 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township was also affected, along with roadways in Wyomissing and Spring Township.
In Wyomissing, a vehicle became stranded on Park Road, while on State Hill Road, a backhoe was used to transport a police officer through high water to reach another car. In West Reading, flooding on Buttonwood Street created impassable conditions.
These incidents were part of a broader swath of flash flooding that hit central Berks County during the storms. Pictures courtesy of Keith Talarigo, used with permission. Visit The Daily Mess in Berks County for additional photos and videos.
