Flood Watch Issued Aug. 20 for Philadelphia Area, Now Through Early Friday
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch on Aug. 20 for Philadelphia and seven neighboring counties, extending it into early Friday.
4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 20, 2026, 9:54 a.m. ET
Earlier reports
Aug 27, 2026, 9:15 a.m. ET
Flood Watch Issued for Philadelphia and Seven Neighboring Counties
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch on Thursday, August 20, 2026, for Philadelphia and seven neighboring counties, effective from 2 PM EDT Thursday through late tonight. The watch is in effect from 12:00 PM to 4:00 AM EDT, according to the National Weather Service.
The biggest threat is flash flooding, with as much as three to five inches of rain possible in isolated areas into Thursday night. The watch covers portions of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York, including 20 zones.
Residents are advised to monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Aug 27, 2026, 9:10 a.m. ET
Flash Flooding Is Biggest Threat as Flood Watch Covers Philadelphia and Neighboring Counties
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch on Thursday, August 20, 2026, for Philadelphia and seven neighboring counties, warning that the biggest threat is flash flooding, according to the agency and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The watch begins at 2 PM EDT on Thursday, August 27, and lasts through 4 AM EDT on Friday, August 28. As much as three to five inches of rain could fall in "isolated" areas into Thursday night, the Inquirer reported.
The watch also covers portions of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York, including 20 zones such as Hudson, Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), and Richmond (Staten Island), according to the National Weather Service.
Residents in flood-prone areas should be prepared to take action should flooding develop, and should monitor later forecasts for possible Flood Warnings, the National Weather Service said.
Aug 20, 2026, 9:54 a.m. ETFirst report
National Weather Service Issues Flood Watch for Portions of New York and New Jersey
The National Weather Service in New York NY issued an official Flood Watch on August 20, 2026, at 2:38 AM EDT, as a developing weather situation brings the possibility of flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall. The watch window begins at 2:00 PM EDT on August 20, 2026, and expires at 2:00 AM EDT on August 21, 2026.
Official records from the National Weather Service state that the watch covers 20 zones across northeast New Jersey and southeast New York. In northeast New Jersey, the affected areas are Eastern Bergen, Eastern Essex, Eastern Passaic, Eastern Union, Hudson, Western Bergen, Western Essex, Western Passaic, and Western Union. In southeast New York, the covered areas are Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Northern Nassau, Northern Queens, Northwest Suffolk, Richmond (Staten Island), Southern Nassau, Southern Queens, Southern Westchester, and Southwest Suffolk.
According to National Weather Service records, excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, and flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Official guidance states that residents should monitor later forecasts, stay alert for possible Flood Warnings, and be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
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- Version 127 Aug 2026, 13:15current
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