Heavy rains prompt evacuations, rescues in Pa.

Emergency officials say flooding from heavy rains in the Philadelphia area prompted scores of rescues and evacuations.

Unusually heavy rains drenching much of Pennsylvania from a slow-moving storm have led to flooding, road closures and flight delays.

The National Weather Service said flood watches are remaining in effect through Thursday morning across most of southern and eastern Pennsylvania, with two to five inches of rain expected in many areas.

The flight tracking website Flight Aware said more than a quarter of arriving and departing flights were canceled Wednesday at Philadelphia International Airport because of the weather.

Flooding closed dozens of roads in Montgomery, Bucks and Montgomery counties along the Brandywine Creek, Neshaminy Creek and Schuylkill River.

In Bucks County, an apartment building was evacuated due to flooding along the Perkiomen Creek’s east branch, and a supermarket was providing food to residents forced to leave.

Flood-prone parts of the Susquehanna Valley will see two to four inches of rain be time the storm system leaves the state Thursday morning.

Bill Turner, watch officer at Chester County emergency management, said more than 62 people were rescued from vehicles overnight, most after driving past closed road signs and barriers. He said three other people trapped in homes by flooding were also rescued in the county.

No serious injuries were reported. Turner said about 100 roads remained closed before dawn.

The American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania reports three dozen people at a shelter at a local high school.

The National Weather Service reports 6.6 inches of rain in one part of the county. Forecasters said five and one-half inches or more fell in Delaware and Montgomery counties and almost five inches in Philadelphia.