Flood Watch Issued for Centre County

Update: The flood watch originally scheduled to end at 2 a.m. on Sunday has been extended to midnight on Monday.

Centre County is under a flood watch for the second time in just over a week.

The National Weather Service issued the watch from noon Saturday to midnight on Monday as slow-moving storms pass through the area. A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding, and a warning is issued if flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flash flood warnings were issued from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday for southwestern Centre County — including State College, Pine Grove Mills, Ramblewood, Rock Springs, Park Forest Village, Stormstown and Bald Eagle — where 1 to 2 inches of rain had already fallen and an additional 1 to 2 inches was possible.

Thunderstorms expected to cause “flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas,” according to the NWS warning.

About 1-3 inches of rain is expected across the watch area by the end of the weekend, with more than 2 inches forecasted for State College and surrounding areas.

Multiple rounds of thunderstorms and showers may produce heavy rainfall in an area that is vulnerable to flooding after heavy rains last week from Tropical Storm Debby.

“In some of this area, it will take less than an inch of rain in one hour to make flash flooding,” NWS wrote.

Excessive runoff could result in flooding of creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Drivers and pedestrians who encounter flooded roadways are urged to turn around.

“Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding,” the NWS wrote. “In hilly terrain, low water crossings are potentially dangerous in
heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.”

Showers and thunderstorms are expected into Monday, but beyond that a pleasant week is on the horizon. According to AccuWeather, Centre County will see mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the low- to mid-70s through the remainder of the week.