Massive Storm Floods State College, Funnel Cloud Hits Boalsburg

An intense storm resulted in flooding across State College Thursday afternoon and evening.

Referred to by AccuWeather senior meteorologist Mike Piggot as “one of the largest non-tropical storms in 20 years,” the rainfall closed portions of North Atherton Street and College Avenue and made other roads difficult to navigate.

“For it to rain like this in a non-tropical storm, that’s pretty impressive,” says Piggot.

A funnel cloud was reported in Boalsburg, but Piggot says it is not yet confirmed if a tornado actually touched the ground.

That will be determined after reports are reviewed tomorrow, but either way, it came pretty close.

“A funnel cloud is pretty much the pre-cursor to a tornado, Piggot says. “Once it hits the ground, it can be classified as a tornado, so that was pretty much one step away.”

As of 6:45 p.m,, AccuWeather headquarters on Science Park Road had received 2.8 inches of rain. Most of Lemont had received 3.5 inches of rainfall. Mike Dangelo, a senior forecaster at the National Weather Service added that Pine Grove Mills had received close to five inches.

Alphia Fire Company responded to flooding at Marvin Gardens apartment (South Pugh Street and Easterly Parkway).

The storm has subsided but the flooding may not.

Piggot says that there could be some scattered showers and thunderstorms over the weekend and early next week. Rain in the coming days will not match what State College saw Thursday, but the damage has already been done.

“The rivers are already full because of this afternoon. We could definitely see some additional flooding in the coming days,” says Piggot.

Click here for the latest AccuWeather forecast on the StateCollege.com homepage.