Hurricane Ida Flood: Philadelphia says shelter in place as Schuylkill River was expected to rise to “Great Flood Stage”;

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – All eyes are on the rivers, streams and streams of the Delaware Valley after Ida remnants swept through Wednesday bringing hours of torrential rain.

In Philadelphia, flooding in the Schuylkill River caused major problems.

Floods closed Vine Street Highway. Crews have also closed the western lanes of the Schuylkill Expressway on Belmont Street, and are in the process of closing the eastbound lanes in Conshohocken. The Kelly, MLK, Lincoln and Ridge Avenue engines were also closed due to high water. The main street in Manayunk also remained closed.

Meanwhle, in Mercer County, New Jersey, Route 1, Route 206, and Route 29 are all closed.

In Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, Route 309 is closed in both directions.

Schuylkill River

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management has warned that the Schuylkill River is expected to rise to “major flood stage” Thursday morning.

Officials are urging residents to take shelter if you live in a flood-prone area along the river.

“The Schuylkill River is expected to rise to major flood stage. There are many auto rescues in flood waters. If you live in a flood-prone area, (specifically in Manayunk and Eastwick), the city advises providing shelter in place, if it is safe to do So, until the water recedes and it is safe to leave. Call 911 in an emergency,” the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management said.

The National Weather Service raised the forecast water level for the Schuylkill River to 17.2 degrees.

The previous record for the highest peak of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia was 17 minutes in 1869.

RELATED: Videos capture the devastation of Ida in the Philly area

Schuylkill Mountain is expected to reach its peak around 9 AM

The flood stage of the Schuylkill River is 11 minutes.

Early Thursday morning, the Schuylkill River was 4 inches higher than the Philadelphia flood stage.

The Schuylkill River in Norristown was 13.19 feet above the flood stage.

The Schuylkill River in Pottstown was 3.49 feet above the flood stage.

In Manayunk, off Main Street near Bridge Street and the Manayunk Bridge Trail, the Schuylkill River connects to the Manayunk Canal. Approximately a dozen vehicles can be seen completely covered in flood waters.

“The rain has stopped, but flood risks persist,” the Philadelphia OEM said.

Pickering Creek Dam

Chester County officials say the danger has passed near Pickering Creek Dam near Valley Forge Road in Phoenixville.

Neighboring residents in parts of Chester and Montgomery counties have been urged to evacuate.

However, at around 7:30 a.m., officials said, “The dam is now below the warning threshold and is no longer at risk of breach.”

Streams rise above the flood stage

Early Thursday morning, the Birkin Creek River in Gratterford reached 9.6 feet above flood stage. Standard level.

East Branch Brandywine Creek stood below Downingtown 11 feet above the flood stage. Standard level.

The Neshaminy River at Langhorne reached 9.4′ above flood stage.

They were all crowned Thursday morning.

Delaware River

Areas near the Delaware River are expected to experience moderate flooding. This includes Easton, Rigelsville, Stockton and New Hope. It is expected to culminate Thursday evening.

Police evacuate residents in part of Trenton, New Jersey The official also expects the state of Delaware to come over its banks and cause major flooding of homes.

Officers were going door-to-door along Mount Vernon and Clearfield Streets in the Island neighborhood on Wednesday night.

Officials said there are 500 homes in the area and everyone should evacuate. All people in affected neighborhoods are being asked to evacuate by 8 a.m. Thursday.