Five people were killed while a 9-month-old baby and 2-year-old daughter remain missing following severe flooding in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. NBC10’s Karen Hua has new details on one of the victims, a mother from South Carolina who tried to rescue her children when her family got caught in the flood. Meanwhile, NBC10’s Brian Sheehan interviews a Bucks County resident who escaped the floodwaters along with his daughter.
Editor's Note (July 17, 2023, 9:10 a.m.): This story is no longer being updated. For details about the search for the children on Monday click here.
A woman who was visiting from South Carolina was among five people killed while her baby boy and daughter remain missing after they were caught in severe flooding in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
The woman, her husband, her mother and their three children -- who are all from Charleston, South Carolina -- were in Bucks County over the weekend to visit family. They were traveling along Route 532 in Upper Makefield Township to attend a barbecue on Saturday around 5:30 p.m. when a torrential downpour caused flooding in the area and disabled their vehicle.
Get top local stories in Philly delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia's News Headlines newsletter.
The father managed to get their 4-year-old son out of the vehicle and escape the floodwaters while the woman and her mother tried to rescue their 9-month-old son and 2-year-old daughter. During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer revealed the woman, her grandmother, the baby boy and the young girl were swept away by the flood.
While the grandmother was later found alive, the mother was later found dead. Her baby boy and young daughter remain missing, according to Brewer.
“We’re continuing all efforts to find them," Brewer said. "We can’t even begin to imagine what the family’s going through with two beautiful children gone.”
Officials confirmed four other victims -- who have not yet been identified -- were also found dead outside of their vehicles near Washington Crossing Road.
"In my 44 years, I've never seen anything like it," Brewer said of Saturday's storm.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox.
Brewer said about 100 people were actively searching for the missing children. He warned that the search had shifted from a rescue to a recovery however.
"We are fairly certain we are in a recovery mode at this time," said Brewer.
On Sunday afternoon, Governor Josh Shapiro said that he has been monitoring the situation in Bucks County as it unfolds. He also spoke during a late afternoon press conference.
“This is a moment that calls on all of us to come together to lift up Upper Makefield and the Bucks County community,” Shapiro said. “And that is exactly what we’re doing. On behalf of more than 13 million Pennsylvanians, I want Bucks County to know that we are here with you. We are praying with you. And we will continue to do everything in our power to lift you up.”
Shapiro thanked the first responders who helped rescue people who were caught in the flood. He also said PennDOT officials will analyze Route 532 "to determine what steps are necessary in order to make sure that road is operable."
Survivor speaks out
"We had no idea that the flash flooding was occurring on 532," he said. "We were behind a few cars and a few cars were behind us and a river of water just came flooding down 532 as we were heading west on 532. And we got tipped over."
Weissman said he and his daughter held onto trees and vines to keep themselves from being swept away by the flood.
"The current was unbelievably strong and we got knocked off the motorcycle," Weissman said. "Cars got flipped over. Cars were floating. And people were trying to turn around but they just couldn’t. The water was rushing too fast and got too high too quickly.”
Weissman told NBC10 they held onto the trees as the water reached their chest. They continued to hold on until the water finally receded.
“It seemed like it was longer but probably a good 20 minutes," Weissman said. "Maybe 25 minutes went by waiting for the water to recede. Very scary. I don’t want to say you’re fearing for your life but you fear for your life. I was extremely worried about my daughter, of course. She’s 22. My youngest.”
Weissman also believes he witnessed the family that was visiting from South Carolina.
"I saw a mother reach into the backseat of her car, grab her child out, an infant. And about three seconds later that’s all I saw," Weissman said. "They walked around the side of the car which I thought they were going to. They walked behind the car. I thought they were going to the safety of another car, like a driverby was going to pick them up. That’s what it looked like. But I was just too concerned about getting to my daughter and keeping her safe and myself safe. So I don’t know what happened to them. Later found out that they’re still being looked for.”
Weissman told NBC10 he's trying to find his motorcycle. He's also helping his daughter heal from the traumatic ordeal.
"Consoling my daughter. She’s upset of course," Weissman said. "The rest of my family. My wife. My other children. My siblings. They’re all concerned. Apparently this made national news.”
Weissman said he had never seen flooding as bad as it was on Saturday.
"Never," he said. "Typically if it rains and comes I try to find a closest bridge and get underneath a bridge. It doesn’t’ happen often. I try to stay out of bad weather. I guess I’m considered a Fairweather rider. But yeah, this was just too fast and happened extremely quick. So this was an unbelievable experience. Unforgettable experience."
Road closures
Due to the torrential rains and flooding on Saturday evening, several roads were heavily damaged and are impassable.
As of Sunday evening, three state highways in Bucks County remain closed:
- Route 32 (River Road) Woodside Road to Taylorsville Road in Upper Makefield and Lower Makefield townships;
- Route 532 (Washington Crossing Road) between Dolington Road and Taylorsville Road in Upper Makefield Township; and
- Taylorsville Road between Route 532 (Washington Crossing Road) and Woodside Road in Upper Makefield and Lower Makefield townships.
The closures will remain in place until PennDOT and its contractor can repair and safely reopen the roadways, officials said.
During the closures, motorists will be directed to use Taylorsville Road, Route 532 (Washington Crossing Road), Wrightsville Road, Eagle Road, Stoopville Road, Lindenhurst Road and Route 332 (Yardley Newtown Road/Afton Avenue), PennDOT officials said.
Emergency personnel from multiple counties have responded to the area due to the downed trees and broken roadways.
Officials are asking the public to stay away from the area so the damage can be assessed and repaired.
