In late 2012, three small dams on Darby Creek were removed because they were contributing to flooding in the area. That single fact says a lot about how creek water behaves around Haverford Township, and about what happens when outside water gets into a house.
Key takeaways
- Three small dams on Darby Creek were taken out in late 2012 because they were contributing to flooding in the area.
- Cobbs Creek, Darby Creek, Naylors Run and Meadowbrook Run all run through or along the township, so heavy rain can reach a property from more than one direction.
- Water that comes in from a creek or a storm drain is treated as contaminated, and soaked carpet pad, insulation and drywall usually come out instead of drying in place.
- August 1955 and June 1972 both brought record flooding to eastern Pennsylvania, a reminder that big events do not wait for a convenient season.
- Extraction comes first and structural drying second, and the whole job is built around the 24 to 48 hours before damp materials start to grow mold.
What the 2012 dam removal says about Darby Creek
Darby Creek runs along the Marple and Haverford Township border beside Interstate 476. Its upper reaches have been described as a storm drain that runs hard after rain and thin between storms.
Three small dams on the creek were removed in late 2012 because they were contributing to flooding in the area. On the record, that was a flood decision, not a cosmetic one.
None of this promises that any one property stays dry. It does tell a homeowner that the creek has needed attention for flooding reasons, and that outside water is a real possibility worth planning for.
In practical terms, households near a creek that has needed flood work are the ones who benefit most from knowing the early signs of outside water, such as a yard that holds water long after rain, water showing in a window well, or a storm drain that stops draining.
Four waterways around the township
Cobbs Creek and Darby Creek mark parts of the township boundaries. Naylors Run and Meadowbrook Run are the other named waterways in and around Haverford Township.
Where heavy rain can come from
A storm that fills one waterway can fill the others in the same afternoon. The water that reaches a house is rarely from a single source.
- Creek overflow onto yards and low streets.
- Runoff that cannot reach a storm drain that is already full.
- Water that finds a window well, a door threshold or a basement stair.
- Groundwater that rises against a foundation after days of rain.
Two flood records on the books
August 1955, with the storms known as Connie and Diane, and June 1972, with Agnes, brought record flooding to eastern Pennsylvania.
Records like these are the reason local flood planning treats a quiet year as a gap between events, not as proof of safety.
Why creek water changes how the cleanup is done
Water that has crossed yards, streets and storm drains carries soil, bacteria and runoff. Restoration crews class it as Category 3, the same grade as sewage, even when it looks like muddy rainwater.
That grade drives the work. Porous materials that soaked it up are removed, and the surfaces that stay are washed and sanitized before drying begins.
- Carpet and pad are cut out and discarded.
- Wet insulation and the lower part of drywall are removed above the high-water mark.
- Hard surfaces are washed and sanitized before any equipment is set.
- Contents that touched the water are sorted into keep, clean and discard.
The first day after creek water gets in
Safety comes before cleanup. Water near outlets, a panel or an appliance can be energized, so the main power is shut off only when that can be done from dry ground.
After that the order is photograph, extract, remove, dry. The storm and flash flood cleanup crew starts with the standing water, because every hour it sits, more of it soaks into framing and flooring.
- Stay out of rooms where water reaches outlets or the electrical panel.
- Photograph the high-water mark and the damaged contents before anything is moved.
- Lift small valuables and papers to dry shelves.
- Keep children and pets out of the water.
- Arrange water extraction before starting a mop and bucket cleanup, since a mop only spreads contaminated water thinner.
Drying once the water is out
Extraction removes the standing water, not the moisture inside walls and floors. Air movers and dehumidifiers pull that moisture out, and meters show when framing and subfloor reach a dry reading.
Damp materials can start to grow mold in 24 to 48 hours, which is why drying equipment goes in as soon as the water is out.
Older houses can have plaster walls, thick framing and masonry, so readings are taken in several places and repeated each day. Structural drying ends on those readings, not on a guess about the calendar.
Damage that shows up days later
A flood cleanup does not end when the floor looks dry. Moisture that stayed inside a wall cavity or under a floor can announce itself days later.
Telling the crew about anything odd after the first visit lets them check the spot with a meter before it turns into a bigger repair.
- A musty smell in a room that looked fine the day before.
- Baseboards or trim that begin to lift away from the wall.
- Paint that bubbles or drywall seams that start to show.
- Outlets or switches on a wall that was wet, which should be checked before use.
- Floors that cup, buckle or feel soft underfoot.
Getting ready for the next storm
A few habits cost little and help a great deal when creek water rises.
A basement flooding cleanup is a different job from a whole-floor creek loss, and the crew sizes the work to what the water actually reached.
- Keep valuables, files and electronics off basement floors.
- Know where the main water shutoff and the electrical panel are, and keep a flashlight near both.
- Check that downspouts and window wells are clear before storm season.
- Keep the number of a restoration crew somewhere every adult in the household can find it.
Questions
Did removing the dams stop flooding in Havertown?
The record only says that three small dams came out in late 2012 because they were contributing to flooding in the area. Nothing in it promises that any single property is now protected, so each household still plans for heavy rain.
Is creek floodwater dangerous to touch?
Treat it as contaminated. It can carry bacteria and runoff from yards, streets and storm drains, so gloves, boots and a mask are the minimum, and children and pets stay out of it.
Can wet carpet from a creek flood be saved?
Usually not. Carpet and pad that soaked up Category 3 water are normally removed, because cleaning them does not reliably make them safe. Hard floors and some solid wood can often be cleaned and dried.
How long does drying take after a flood?
Most jobs run about 3 to 5 days of equipment time, depending on how deep the water got and what the walls and floors are made of. Daily moisture readings decide when the equipment leaves.
Does homeowners insurance cover creek flooding?
Many standard homeowners policies treat flood damage separately from other water losses, so the exact policy language matters. Keep the photos and moisture readings, and ask the insurer which coverage applies.
What should I do with food and medicine that touched creek water?
Throw out food, medicine and cosmetics that were in contact with floodwater, along with anything sealed with a soft cap or cardboard. Unplug appliances that sat in water and have them checked before use.