Hurricane Ida Floods: Philadelphia Calls for Shelter-in-Place as Schuylkill River Expects to Reach “Major Flood Level”;

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – All eyes are on the rivers, streams and streams of the Delaware Valley after Ida’s remains fell on Wednesday, bringing torrential downpours for hours on end.

In Philadelphia, the flooding of the Schuylkill River is causing big problems.

The floods closed the Vine Street Freeway. Teams have also closed the westbound lanes of the Schuylkill Autobahn on Belmont Avenue and are in the process of closing the eastbound lanes at Conshohocken. Kelly, MLK and Lincoln and Ridge Avenue roads are also closed due to high water. The main street of Manayunk also remains closed.

Meanwhile, in Mercer County, New Jersey, Route 1, Route 206, and Route 29 are all closed.

In Fort Washington, PA, Route 309 is closed in both directions.

Schuylkill River

The Philadelphia Emergency Management Office is warning that the Schuylkill River is expected to enter a “major flood stage” Thursday morning.

Authorities are urging residents to take shelter in place if you live in a flood-prone area along the river.

“The Schuylkill River is expected to rise to the major flood stage. There are several car rescues in the flood waters. If you live in a flood prone area (particularly in Manayunk and Eastwick), the city advises to shelter in place, if it is safe to do so, until the water recedes and it is safe to leave. Call 911 in an emergency, ”the land management office said. City of Philadelphia emergencies.

The National Weather Service has raised its predicted water level for the Schuylkill River to 17.2 feet.

The previous record for the highest ridge of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia was 17 feet in 1869.

RELATED: Videos Capture Ida’s Devastation in the Philly Area

The Schuylkill should peak around 9 a.m.

The flood level of the Schuylkill River is 11 ‘.

Early Thursday morning, the Schuylkill River was 4 feet above flood level in Philadelphia.

The Schuylkill River in Norristown was 13.19 ft above flood level.

The Schuylkill River at Pottstown was 3.49 ft above flood level.

In Manayunk, off Main Street, near Bridge Street and the Manayunk Bridge Trail, the Schuylkill River was connected to the Manayunk Canal. About more than a dozen vehicles could be seen almost completely covered with flood water.

“The rain has stopped, but the risk of flooding remains,” the Philadelphia OEM said.

Pickering Creek Dam

Chester County officials say the danger passed near the Pickering Creek Dam near Valley Forge Road in Phoenixville.

Nearby residents in parts of Chester and Montgomery counties have been asked to evacuate.

However, around 7:30 am, officials said “the dam is now below the warning threshold and no longer poses a risk of rupture.”

Streams rise above the flood level

Early Thursday morning, Perkiomen Creek in Graterford reached 9.6 ft above flood level. A record level.

The east branch of Brandywine Creek downstream from Downingtown was 11 ft above flood level. A record level.

The Neshaminy River at Langhorne reached 9.4 ft above flood level.

All were at their highest Thursday morning.

Delaware River

Areas near the Delaware River are expected to experience moderate flooding. This includes Easton, Riegelsville, Stockton and New Hope. Cresting is expected Thursday evening.

Police have evacuated residents from part of Trenton, New Jersey, as authorities expect Delaware to come to its shores and cause extensive flooding in homes.

Officers were door-to-door along Mount Vernon and Clearfield avenues in The Island neighborhood on Wednesday night.

Authorities said there were 500 homes in the area and everyone had to evacuate. Everyone in the affected neighborhoods is asked to evacuate before 8 a.m. Thursday.