Crime & Safety

Flood Watch: 1-3 Inches of Rain Likely Thursday

Brace yourself for another very soggy day as a strong low pressure system brings heavy rain to Bethlehem Thursday into Thursday night.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday for Lehigh County as a strong low pressure system brings us another day of heavy rain.

Expect one to three inches of rain Thursday into Thursday night from showers and thunderstorms. The high will be near 74.

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Weather Service says it won't take much rain to produce flooding since creeks and streams are already high from rain we had Monday and last Friday.

Mike Alkhal, Bethlehem's director of Public Works, said field crews were out on Wednesday to check on gutters and storm sewers to make sure there is no debris to block proper drainage.

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The storms on Friday and Monday did not cause any significant flooding in the city and Alkhal said he does not expect a storm that brings up to three inches of rain over a 24-hour period to cause trouble either.

Nonetheless, city officials will be keeping an eye on the parts of the city that are typically most flood-prone— such as Ravena Street, Fireside Lane, Conestoga Street and Mauch Chunk Road. If necessary, those roads will be closed until floodwaters recede and city crews and clean up whatever mess is left behind, Alkhal said.

If you see high water or flooding in your area, tell us in the comments section below and post your photos to this story.

Forecasters expect a significant rise in the Delaware River but it should stay within its banks.

The storm system will affect New Jersey, Delaware and northeastern Maryland in addition to eastern Pennsylvania.

The weather should improve Friday with partly sunny skies.

Expect sunny or partly sunny days this weekend with highs in the upper 70s.


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