Philadelphia is in for a stormy week – heavy rain, thunderstorms, and high humidity cover the city, threatening the city’s public safety and sporting events. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a warning for coastal flooding, indicating a level of up to a foot of water above ground level in lowland and shoreline areas. In addition to the weather alert, the sporting world was adversely affected, with a top sporting event affected, where the second game of a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed owing to the unfavorable playing conditions.
However, according to weather reports by Tuesday afternoon, the humidity was pegged at 90%, showers are all over and thunderstorm activity is likely to be more severe during the week. The present temperature was slightly above 64°F with projected increase in temperature and heavier amount of rain, according to forecasters, as the week goes by.
Coastal Flooding Threat Sparks Advisory
As rains continue to pour and tides are emerging higher, the National Weather Service has declared a coastal flood advisory over Philadelphia and its nearby cities. Tidal waterways, and those near the Delaware River, are particularly at risk. Forecast models are predicting mere inches of flooding in areas exposed to flooding, enough to muck up traffic, shut down roads, interrupt local businesses, and cripple transit systems.
The Office of Emergency Management in Philadelphia advised the residents to be alert and not to walk/drive through flooded streets. Officials warned that conditions might get worse during high tide times, leading to urban flooding in areas with low-lying neighborhoods.
Phillies vs. Cardinals Postponed
The weather’s effect went to Citizens Bank Park, where the Tuesday night game at the park between the Phillies and Cardinals was postponed. The match up, the second of the three-game series, has been postponed to a split day/night double header at 4-7 p.m. Wednesday as part of the twin bill. In a game where Erick Fedde was to start for the Cardinals and Taijuan Walker for the Phillies, according to Associated Press, the starting pitchers did not realize that opposing batters would be difficult to handle on short notice for both of them. The delay disrupts the momentum of the Cardinals, who are on a nine-game winning streak and currently boast a record of 23-19.
Although it is common for there to be doubleheaders in Major League Baseball during the rainy season, the forecast for Wednesday has a sense of uncertainty. Some clearing is expected between the morning and the afternoon; however, NWS Meteorologists will continue to monitor the system as it slowly moves northeast.
Broader Impact on the City
The stormy weather is not only a sports issue; it has affected daily life in all of Philadelphia. The local transit authority stated delays on multiple SEPTA lines; power outages were sprinkled around suburban areas, as a result of damage incurred by lighting and wind. The Philadelphia International Airport also recorded delays and cancellations of flights because of seeing problems.
Businesses located in waterfronts and zones that are prone to floods have been prepped, as sandbags and temporary barriers are seen outside several storefronts. City maintenance staff have been sent to clean storm drains and gutters to reduce the likelihood of flooding and prevent the backing up of the sewage system.
Looking Ahead: More Rain to Come
Weather forecasts indicate no immediate let up of the storms. Rain is forecast to continue through Thursday with intense storms possible towards the day of Friday. The National Weather Service warns of caution, with a particular focus on the inhabitants of those areas, where floods occurred before.
Final Thoughts
The persistent bad weather in Philadelphia has put the city at the mercy of floods in its coastline, as well as susceptible to disruptions in its infrastructure. Fans will have to wait another day until they can watch the Phillies and Cardinals play each other but the focus is the same – public safety as the emergency teams do their best to clear streets and ensure that residents are safe.
