ALLENTOWN, Pa.— Lehigh Valley areas that are normally bustling public spaces were under water and closed-off to the public for safety Monday, after record-breaking levels of rain hit the region.
In Allentown, the particularly flood-susceptible intersection of Union and St. Elmo streets had two incidents of first responders having to rescue people from cars stuck in standing water.
The water there was so high it got under the vehicles' hoods and shut off their engines.
Nearby, at an encampment where unhoused people have set up tents, one person who has nowhere else to go, had to be rescued from his tent.
In all the incidents, everyone made it out without injury.
But the state Transportation Department told people it was best to avoid the risk altogether if possible.
"Turn around, don't drown," PennDOT Press Officer Sean Brown said. Brown, who's based in Allentown, even had to take a short break Monday to pick up his daughter from her school, which dismissed early because of the flooding.
"I think the most important thing to do is to remind motorists about safety out there — really need the motorists to be our partners out there," he said.
"Do not drive through standing water. You really don't know how deep it is. And a small amount of work can disable your car or pull your car down a stream."
PennDOT maintained a live map of closed roads and hazardous areas — many of which are in the Lehigh Valley.
In Northampton County, there were three rescues, spokeswoman Brittney Waylen said.
"They were due to vehicles driving into roadways with visible water," Waylen said. "There were no injuries during the rescue. There are no rescues currently in progress."
Waylen, in a statement from earlier Monday, also said the county was in touch with the National Weather Service and keeping an eye on safety for the community.
The county Emergency Management Services "asks that you drive with extreme caution and not attempt to drive through flooded roadways or drive over downed power lines," the statement read.
In South Whitehall Township, Covered Bridge Park was closed to the public, and rescue crews were patrolling the roads nearby.
The Lower Macungie Township Facebook page mid-afternoon Monday announced the emergency closing of Sauerkraut Lane from Stout Drive to Saw Mill Drive.
One commenter said a sinkhole had opened at a swale on Sauerkraut Drive, and officials feared it may spread to the road surface.
The township post said no there was no time frame for the road to reopen.
Also in Allentown, the site of the popular Lights in the Parkway holiday display was flooded, and the city said that because of the electrical risks, it wasn't safe to turn on the lights.
"Due to flooding in Lehigh Parkway, we regret to announce that tonight's Lights in the Parkway event, including the Walk, Bike, Run, and vehicular traffic, is canceled," a public statement from the city said.
"Unfortunately, some of our wires are still submerged, which prevent us from safely electrifying the system."
As of early afternoon Monday, no deaths or injuries were reported by emergency crews or officials.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
