Severe Flooding in Bucks County Leaves Four Dead and Four Missing
UPPER MAKEFIELD TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) — The Bucks County area is currently experiencing severe flooding, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and leaving four others missing. Officials have confirmed that two women and one man were found dead in the Washington Crossing area of Upper Makefield Township. The identity of the fourth victim has not yet been released by the police.
According to Upper Makefield officials, the missing individuals are a family consisting of two adults, a 2-year-old, and a 9-month-old. In response to the situation, Bucks County police have initiated a search and rescue operation to locate the missing persons who were lost in the floodwaters. The Upper Makefield Township Police Department is being assisted by the Newtown Township police in this operation.
The search and rescue operation is taking place on Taylorsville Road in the area of Washington Crossing Road (Route 532). Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area to ensure the safety of emergency personnel involved in the operation. They have also issued a reminder to refrain from traveling through flooded roadways.
Upper Makefield police have posted on Facebook, informing residents that numerous places in the township have been flooded. In Lower Makefield Township, several roads have become impassable due to the extreme flooding. These include River Road, which is heavily damaged between Mt. Eyre Road and Woodside Road, as well as Taylorsville Road between Mt. Eyre Road and Woodside Road. Taylorsville Road is closed between Maplevale and Highland Road due to roadway damage, bridge damage, and debris in the roadway. Township officials anticipate that these roads will remain closed for an extended period of time.
PennDOT has also announced the closure of four state highways in Bucks County due to the flooding. The affected roads are Route 32 (River Road) from Woodside Road to Route 532 (General Washington Memorial Boulevard) in Upper Makefield and Lower Makefield townships, Route 232 (Windy Bush Road) between Aquetong Road and Route 32 (River Road) in Solebury Township, Route 532 (Washington Crossing Road) between Dolington Road and Taylorsville Road in Upper Makefield Township, and Taylorsville Road between Woodside Road and Route 532 (Washington Crossing Road) in Lower Makefield and Upper Makefield townships.
Residents in the area have described the flooding as extreme. Nick Primola from Yardley recounted witnessing cars being swept away, ending up upside down and abandoned in local roadways. He mentioned that the rain came and went so quickly that it was impossible to prepare for the sudden deluge. While the area is prone to flooding due to its many waterways, Primola believes that the speed at which the flooding occurred caught many people off guard.
Authorities continue to work diligently to locate the missing individuals and ensure the safety of residents affected by the severe flooding.
What actions are authorities taking to ensure the safety of residents amidst the devastating flood in Bucks County
Statement advising residents to stay away from flooded areas and to seek shelter in higher ground.
The severe flooding in Bucks County has resulted in tragic consequences, with four individuals losing their lives and four others missing. In the Washington Crossing area of Upper Makefield Township, two women and one man have been found dead, while the identity of the fourth victim has yet to be disclosed.
The missing individuals are a family comprising two adults, a 2-year-old, and a 9-month-old. The local authorities have launched a search and rescue operation, in collaboration with the Newtown Township police, to locate the missing family members who were swept away by the floodwaters.
The operation is centered on Taylorsville Road in the vicinity of Washington Crossing Road (Route 532). Officials have emphasized the need for residents to refrain from entering the area in order to ensure the safety of emergency personnel engaged in the rescue efforts. They have also urged residents to stay away from flooded areas and seek higher ground for their own safety.
The severe flooding in Bucks County has brought about a devastating loss of life and the desperate search for missing individuals. Authorities continue to work diligently to locate and ensure the safety of those still unaccounted for.
My heart aches for the families affected by this devastating flood. Praying for the safety of those still missing and strength for the community during this difficult time.