Harrisburg, PA – With heavy widespread rainfall anticipated across the state tonight into Friday night due to Tropical Storm Debby, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) remind Pennsylvanians to exercise caution during periods of heavy rain and be alert for potential flooding on roadways and in low-lying areas.
Rain is expected to begin after midnight tonight and continue throughout Friday, wrapping up shortly after midnight. While the heaviest rain is expected to impact central Pennsylvania, periods of heavy rain are possible elsewhere in the Commonwealth. This intense rainfall is expected to cause flash flooding which includes roadways that may become impassable.
"Our crews have been preparing for days by clearing out debris around drainage inlets and under bridges while readying equipment," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "With the forecast amount of rain, we remind the public to not drive on roads that are covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway."
Motorists should watch for ponding on roadways and flooding in poor drainage areas while traveling.
“We are working with our state agency partners to be ready with any state resources that are needed to support county and local response to this storm," said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “This is the time for everyone at home to make sure they're ready by reviewing their family emergency plans, making sure they have multiple ways to get severe weather alerts, and avoiding any unnecessary travel as conditions get worse."
Have at least two ways to receive weather alerts, and know what actions to take when the National Weather Service issues an alert. A watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for hazardous weather to occur in the near future, giving you time to prepare for further action. You should pay close attention to changing conditions during a watch. A warning is issued when the hazardous weather is occurring, which is your trigger to take immediate action to keep you and your loved ones safe.
PennDOT warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway. Also, the roadbed may not be intact under the water. Never drive around barricades or signs on closed roads – Turn Around, Don't Drown.
Anyone planning to travel should closely monitor weather conditions along travel routes. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices." Information about the state's infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results.
Follow PennDOT on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
More information about how to prepare for any type of emergency, including specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA webpage.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alexis Campbell, PennDOT, alecampbel@pa.gov
Ruth Miller, PEMA, ruthmiller@pa.gov