Emergency Management Crews Ready for Potential Flooding

Should the Hatboro and Horsham region experience flooding resulting from the estimated three inches of rain coming our way, emergency personnel say they are prepared.

"We're ready as ever," said Bob Stauch, Hatboro emergency management coordinator. Stauch said 75 to 100 homes - and potentially more - could sustain flood damage if heavy rain falls Thursday as forecasted by the . 

In Horsham, George Fida, the township's emergency management coordinator, is expecting less of an impact. 

"Some of these heavy storms, for some reason, unless it’s really localized in our area it doesn’t affect us," Fida said, adding that the last major flood stemmed from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. 

To help lessen the loss, or damage to personal property, Stauch suggests moving items, such as lawn furniture, to higher ground. 

In the event of severe flooding, emergency responders in Hatboro and Horhsam would work to evacuate residents, both Stauch and Fida said. Horsham residents would be taken to Keith Valley Middle School, while Hatboro residents would either go to , or . 

Stauch urged Hatboro residents to continue watching the town's cable station (on channel 21 or 22) for updates. 

"We don’t want anybody to go to any of these churches until they make sure we're evacuating," Stauch said. "First we're asking them to go to a relative's house or a friend’s house."

Should residents be flooded out and in need of assistance, Stauch suggested they call the borough's emergency operating center at 215-443-9100 Ext 116. He said someone would be on hand to answer the line, even after borough hall closes, provided that the forecasted heavy rains translated to severe flooding.

In Horsham, Fida suggested residents call either the Horsham police's non-emergency line at 215-643-3600 if their matter requires an officer to respond; or the police desk in the station at 215-643-8284 to report issues like downed trees. 

In terms of flood-prone areas, Stauch said the development, which is situated along Pennypack Creek, is especially susceptible. The borough is collaborating with the state Department of Environmental Protection on a flood study to determine the cost of flooding within the condominium community and the expense to fix it. 

Other areas where Stauch said the community should exercise caution include Horsham Road along the creeks; South Linden Avenue; Livingston Apartments on County Line Road; and parts of the business district along York Road. 

"They should be ready for floods in the lower parts of Hatboro," Stauch said. "Most of them have sandbags and stuff."

For Horsham, Fida said the trouble spots are on Blair Mill Road around Home Road; parts of Limekiln Pike; and Keith Valley Road.