On the day after the nation celebrated its 250th anniversary, Berks Countians were treated to a light show Fourth of July fireworks display — only on a grander scale.
A storm rolled in after 8 p.m. Sunday, announcing itself with some rolling thunder and vivid lightning bolts that were a preview to a dramatic lighting display.
In the Reading area, light showers began as the sky flashed at short intervals.
Then, just after 9 p.m., cellphones alarmed with an “imminent threat alarm” from the National Weather Service: a flash-flood warning that would remain in effect until 3 a.m. Monday.
“Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flood or under an evacuation order,” the message implored.
Heavy showers hit the area. Nearly 1 ½ inches — the first significant rainfall in weeks — was recorded at Reading Regional Airport in Bern Township.
No everyone heeded the warning.
Just before 10 p.m., flooding closed Route 12 between the North Fifth Street and Route 61 exits in Muhlenberg Township
The 3200 block of Fifth Street Highway (Business Route 222) was closed due to flooding around that time. Muhlenberg Fire & Rescue was called to free two occupants of a vehicle stalled in water in the block.
Problems were reported at low-lying areas where flash flooding is common, including Route 61 in the area of Indian Manor Drive in Ontelaunee Township and the railroad underpasses in north Reading, where firefighters were called to rescue stranded motorists.
The storm left thousands without power throughout the region. Outages extended into Monday morning.
Met-Ed reported 2,774 outages in Berks as of 8:15 a.m. Among them were 502 customers in Reading, 230 in Muhlenberg, 285 in Penn Township, 180 in Longswamp Township, 165 in Upper Bern Township, 152 in Laureldale and 198 in Bern Township.
PPL Electric Utilities, which serves the southern tip of the county and part of southwestern Berks, reported a total of 282 outages in the county as of 8:15. Those were in Sinking Spring, 201 customers; Spring Township, seven; Lower Heidelberg Township, 24; Carnarvon Township, eight; and Heidelberg Township, two.