WASHINGTON CROSSING, P.A. – Authorities are searching for two Charleston children still missing following flash flooding Saturday near Philadelphia. The family was headed to a barbeque around 5:30 p.m. when their car was hit with a wall of water.
“As they tried to escape the fierce flood waters, dad took the 4-year-old son while the mother and grandmother grabbed the two additional children ages 9 month and 2 years,” said Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer during a press conference Sunday.
Brewer said the father, Jim Sheils, and his 4-year-old son were able to get to safety while the mother, grandmother and two other children were swept away by the flood. The grandmother was found and treated at a local hospital. The mother, 32-year-old Katie Seley, was discovered dead.
Meantime, the search is still on for the 9-month-old Conrad and 2-year-old Matilda Sheils.
“I can’t even begin to imagine what the family is going through with two beautiful children gone,” said Brewer.
Authorities say several vehicles got swept away Saturday night in Washington Crossing and three people were found dead near their vehicles. This is the second time in a week flash flooding has claimed lives, caused power outages and canceled flights in the Northeast.
