Tropical Storm Isaias Caused $30K In Damage To Wissahickon Trails

AMBLER, PA — Tropical Storm Isaias caused major destruction to the Wissahickon Valley watershed in Montgomery County, leaving roughly $30,000 in damages behind when the winds had died and flood waters subsided.

The storm brought a historic levels of swelling to numerous area waterways, not the least of which was the Wissahickon, which broiled over with chocolate milk-like currents from Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia out to Montgomery Township.

"While Tropical Storm Isaias affected our homes, roads, and businesses, this was just a symptom of a problem we face every day – stormwater," Wissahickon Trails, the local nonprofit managing much of the environment along the length of the creek, said in a statement. "Development and suburban sprawl are not new to our region, but each time more and more impervious surfaces like parking lots and buildings are added to our landscape, water has fewer and fewer places to go when it rains."

For Wissahickon Trails, formerly known as the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, the damage hit both structures and the environment. Their offices at Four Mills barn took on around 10 inches of water, leaving heavy damage on the first floor. The copier and HVAC systems were damaged, and files, photos, and furniture were destroyed, the group said.

The historic Evans-Mumbower Mill had 24 inches of standing water in the basement at the height of the storm, officials said, leaving a layer of silt and breaking a window. Fortunately, this left little water damage as the flooding drained out quickly.

But the damage may have been most notable to the Green Ribbon Trail, which was subsumed by currents which destroyed infrastructure for miles along the banks of the creek. Footbridges, stepping stones, signage, and other built structures were washed away, and significant debris was left behind.

The trail was shut down in the wake of the storm, and parts of it have reopened in the days since as safety assessments are underway. The areas currently open include the trailhead at Parkside Place in Upper Gwynedd, to North Wales Road; the access point at the Upper Gwynedd Wastewater Treatment Plant to Runner's Crossing; the Plymouth Road entrance down to Penllyn Blue Bell Pike; and Butler Pike to the bridges at Four Mills Nature Reserve.

To donate to Wissahickon Trails or to learn more about how to assist in their recovery, see here.