Heavy Rains Swamp Northeast Again as Flash Flooding Claims at Least 5 Lives in Pennsylvania

Flooding and a partially fallen tree along Swayze Mill Road in Hope, N.J., on July 16, 2023. Courtesy of JCP&L via AP

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa.—Heavy rains pounded an already saturated Northeast on Sunday for the second time in a week, spurring another round of flash flooding, cancelled airline flights and power outages. In Pennsylvania, a sudden flash flood late Saturday afternoon claimed at least five lives.

Officials in Bucks County’s Upper Makefield Township in Pennsylvania said torrential rains occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Washington Crossing area, sweeping away several cars. At least five people died and two childen, a 9-month-old boy and his 2-year-old sister, remained missing, authorities said.