TROPICAL STORM FLOYD
A record rainfall of eight inches from Hurricane Floyd fell on the community on September 16, 1999. The rain gauge at the Pennridge Wastewater Treatment authority recorded 8.05 inches of rain with eight inches recorded at Sellersville Borough's water treatment plant on Catch Basin Road in West Rockhill Township. Perkasie Borough Authority reported 7.31 inches of rain.
| The hurricane struck the coast of South Carolina and quickly was reduced to a tropical storm. The Pennridge area was largely spared with a few downed trees and downed wires, but flood waters reached heights that closed every bridge into Perkasie (Walnut Street Bridge seen at right) and flooded Sellersville's Main Street. |  |
SELLERSVILLE
Water reached the five points intersection (Constitution Avenue, Diamond Street, Main Street) in Sellersville. Many businesses and facilities in Sellersville experienced damage including:
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Fast moving waters knocked down fences at the Little League field (left) and the Druckenmiller Playground lower field. Picnic tables and trash cans were washed away. Many local crops were also destroyed. |
PERKASIE
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Flooding in Perkasie was extensive but not as damaging as in Sellersville. Most of the damage was in Lenape Park with downed branches and a lot of debris (seen at right). Playground outfield fences and baseball fields were flooded and filled with debris. Playground fences were also knocked down. Two downed trees knocked out power for several hours before repairs could be made.  Frank R. Kulp Memorial Playground on Second Street in Perkasie. |
Both photos above show the effects of the flood in Lenape Park. |
SCHOOL and BUSINESS CLOSINGS
Pennridge Schools received hundreds of calls and numerous complaints from angry parents. Schools were closed about 45 minutes early. The storm came quicker than expected and some buses experienced difficulty getting students home.
Local banks and other businesses closed early as did the Bucks County Free Library (including the Pierce Branch in Perkasie). Montgomery Mall even closed early that day.
END TO DROUGHT ?
Though the waters caused much inconvenience and damage, these waters did help to replenish local water supplies. However, the water did not totally soak in and a drought warning was still in effect.
