READING, Pa. – After several dry days, Thursday evening’s downpour came fast, and with it, another round of flooding in Reading.
Rain started around 5 p.m., and within minutes, the Spring Street underpass was underwater. Water rushed in, trapping cars and leaving behind mud, debris and damage.
“Unfortunately, because we are at the bottom of both hills, this happens a lot,” said neighbor Sean McCarter. “And this is, I think, the fourth time this year.”
McCarter says when rain starts, neighbors scramble to warn each other and move their cars.
“We try to park up as far as we can — sidewalks, wherever, he said. “We try to communicate with each other and get everybody moved as fast as we can because it only takes minutes.”
By the time the rain slowed, streets were littered with trash and soaked tires. Mud streaked across sidewalks and asphalt.
“A lot of our neighbors have lost a lot,” McCarter added. “And you know, it is what it is.”
Flooding was also reported on Nicolls Street, Windsor Street and State Hill Road, where emergency crews were called in to clear the damage.
The water receded later Thursday night.