Floodwaters In Center City Trapping Some Residents Inside Buildings

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Center City, Philadelphia saw historic flooding Thursday following remnants of Ida. Eyewitness News was at Race Street, between 22nd and 23rd Streets, where several cars parked along the sidewalk were nearly submerged in water.

"This is historical, there is no question," Philadelphia City Councilmember Helen Gym told Eyewitness News. "On days like this, we are just really grateful for the fire department that's out here right now, the water department helping folks. It really puts an emphasis on the importance of city workers. We've never seen anything like this. I've lived in the neighborhood for over 25 years and It's never flooded like this and I just think we need to keep our eye on everything and make sure everyone's safe that's the most important thing."

Video from Chopper 3 captured flooded streets outside the new Giant supermarket near 23rd and Cherry Streets. The Riverwalk Giant opened up in March 2021.

Like most neighborhoods near the border of the Schuylkill River, water is up to some of the street signs.

Eyewitness News is being told a number of people cannot get out of their apartments due to the floodwaters. They are being told to shelter in place until rescuers can get to them.

Flooding also shut down a portion of the Vine Street Expressway in Center City. Chopper 3 was over the scene, where the road is completely underwater, near the Ben Franklin Parkway Exit, just a few hundred yards from the Art Museum.

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