South central Centre County, including the State College, Bellefonte and Centre Hall areas, is under a flash flood warning until 3:45 p.m. on Friday.
According to the National Weather Service, up to three inches of rain fell across the area early Friday morning and radar indicated a new line of heavy rain that could bring another half inch to one inch as minor flooding already was occurring.
Spring Creek and its tributaries as well as Bald Eagle Creek were running high on Friday morning, with minor flooding.
At 7.58 feet, Spring Creek at Houserville was at its third highest level since 1990 and was at risk for flash floods throughout the morning. Puddintown Road and the bike path from Puddintown to East College Avenue were closed due to flooding.
Bald Eagle Creek at the Beech Creek station was at 11.25 feet, .25 feet above the 11 foot flood stage. Minor flooding was occurring and was expected to continue.
The flash flood warning also is in effect for northwest Huntingdon County. A flash flood watch is in effect for Centre County through 10 p.m. on Friday.
Some minor roadway flooding was occurring in the State College area, and a portion of East College Avenue around the 1100 block, near Your Building Center was closed to traffic Friday morning. It reopened early Friday afternoon.
Fox Hollow Road at Big Hollow Road was down to one lane of traffic because of roadway flooding.
NWS urges people to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas.
Areas expected to experience flash flooding include State College, Huntingdon, Bellefonte, Park Forest Village, Boalsburg, Pleasant Gap, Stormstown, Lemont, Zion, Houserville, Pine Grove Mills, Centre Hall, Milesburg, Ramblewood, Spruce Creek, Julian, Franklinville, Whipple Dam State Park, Rock Springs and Bald Eagle State Park.
Rain is expected to continue into Friday night, with a dry weekend in the forecast.
Because of the heavy rain, PennDOT suspended drainage work for the Potters Mills Gap project on Route 322 and temporarily lifted the westbound detour. The detour was expected to go back into effect sometime this weekend.
