Search efforts continued Monday for two young children lost in a flash flood over the weekend in Bucks County, and authorities publicly identified the five people whose bodies have been recovered.
Matilda “Mattie” Sheils, 2, and her 9-month-old brother Conrad were in a vehicle on their way to a barbecue with family Saturday evening when torrential rain caused Houghs Creek to flood onto State Route 532, also known as Washington Crossing Road.
Their father, Jim, and 4-year-old brother, Jack, survived, as did their grandmother, Dahlia. The children’s mother, Katie Seeley, was found dead later Saturday. The family lives in Charleston, South Carolina, and was in the area visiting relatives and friends.
“We ask that you continue to pray for the return of Conrad and Mattie and for the safety of all those committed to bringing them home to us,” Scott Ellis, Jim Sheils’ brother-in-law, said at a late afternoon news conference.
The Bucks County Coroner’s Office on Monday released the names of the four other people killed in the flood – Enzo Depiero, 78, and Linda Depiero, 74, of Newtown Township; Susan Barnhart, 53, who lived in Titusville, New Jersey; and Yuko Love, 64, of Newtown Township.
County coroner Meredith Buck said autopsies were performed Monday, and the cause of death for all of the victims was ruled accidental.
“These people did not drive into high water,” Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer said. “They were caught. This was a flash flood.”
Brewer said improved weather Monday allowed for the deployment of drones, underwater search teams, and cadaver and search-and-rescue dogs. The operation focused on a 40-acre area south of Route 532, he added.
On Saturday, Houghs Creek rushed onto 532 between Aqueduct and Wrightstown roads. Nearly a dozen cars were trapped and three were carried away, Brewer said Sunday.
First responders were able to rescue 10 people, including two who were pulled out of the creek, according to authorities.
The Bucks County Commissioners, in response to the flooding, signed a disaster declaration Monday, suspending normal regulations and freeing up emergency managers to coordinate the recovery effort.
County residents are encouraged to report property damage to their respective township governments.
