Credit: Office of Sen. Steve Santarsiero
Using dispatch records, public statements from fire and police officials, and on-the-ground reports, NewtownPANow.com has compiled a timeline of Saturday evening’s flash flooding incident and the extensive search operation that followed.
Approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday: The National Weather Service’s regional office tweeted that a severe thunderstorm warning was in place from Lambertville, New Jersey to Fairless Hills. A special weather statement had also been issued for wind and hail.
Approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday: The rainfall became heavier in Lower and Upper Makefield townships. The amount of water in nearby creeks and tributaries began to grow.
Approximately 5:25 p.m. on Saturday: The Upper Makefield Township Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to the area of Washington Crossing Road (Route 532) and Aqueduct Road in Upper Makefield Township for a wires call. There was an initial report of a transformer and utility pole that were struck by lightning. Police officers came to the scene from the west and firefighters arrived from the east. Water began flood onto the roadway at a quick rate.
Approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday: Officers responding were experiencing severe flooding, while firefighters coming from the opposite direction found what authorities described as “even worse flooding.” Around the same time, county dispatchers called for a fire engine to respond to the Stonebridge Road, which goes over the then-flooded Houghs Creek, for an alarm call. Around the same time, firefighters reported numerous vehicles and people were swept away by the flooding. The Bucks County 9-1-1 center began receiving calls with similar reports. Fire Chief Tim Brewer said the water was up to the top of a command vehicle and a firefighter had to be removed from the flooding.
Approximately 5:37 p.m. on Saturday: The Yardley-Makefield Fire Company was dispatched to Twinning Road for a water rescue. By this time, the water had washed out part of the road and started to lift vehicles and wash them away or flip them over.
Approximately 5:41 p.m. on Saturday: The Upper Makefield Township Volunteer Fire Company called for a marine unit from their station, a marine unit from Mercer County, an engine from Newtown Fire Rescue, a crew from the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company, and the Newtown Ambulance Squad to report to the scene. Around that time, firefighters began making water rescues and ended up saving 10 drivers, including one who was trapped under their vehicle.
Approximately 5:41 p.m. on Saturday: As the severity of the situation became more clear, the New Hope Eagle Fire Company and Lower Southampton Township Fire Company were dispatched to assist with rescue efforts along Washington Crossing Road.
Approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday: A specialized swiftwater rescue team from Bucks County and Montgomery County’s search and rescue team were dispatched to Upper Makefield Township. In addition, drone units were dispatched to assist with search efforts.
Approximately 6:20 p.m. on Saturday: Additional marine rescue units were called to the scene and an incident command post was established at The Crossing Church at Washington Crossing Road and Wrightstown Road.
Approximately 6:56 p.m. on Saturday: Additional crews from across Bucks and Montgomery counties, including a number of marine rescue units, were called to the command post at The Crossing Church as an all-out search was underway for the people reported swept away and missing.
Between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday: The bodies of Enzo DePiero, 78, Susan Barnhart, 53, and Katheryn “Katie” Seley, 32, were recovered.
RELATED: Community Mourns Lives Lost In Devastating Flash Flood
Evening to night on Saturday: Authorities learned two people who had been swept away were able to be saved. They were at a home Stonebridge Crossing Road. When responders were able to get access, crews took both people to the hospital for treatment.
Overnight Saturday into Sunday: Crews continued to work at the scene, but darkness hampered additional search efforts.
Daybreak on Sunday: A large-scale search effort kicked off in an expanded scale.
Approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday: The extensive search operation recovered the body of Yuko Love, 64.
Approximately 12:15 a.m. on Sunday: The body of Linda DePiero, 74, was located by crews.
