Key facts
- Alert
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Mount Holly NJ
- Areas
- Bucks, PA; Lehigh, PA
- In effect
- until 5:45 PM EDT, Oct 16, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“At 507 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Fleetwood, or 9 miles northeast of Reading, moving east at 55 mph.”
NWS Mount Holly NJ, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 5:36 PM EDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage.”
NWS Mount Holly NJ, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 5:36 PM EDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”
NWS Mount Holly NJ, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 5:36 PM EDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building, as the National Weather Service instructs. Stay away from windows.
Bring pets inside and avoid being under trees or near power lines. Strong gusts can bring down limbs. Mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings are especially at risk, according to the warning.
If you are driving, including on the Northeast Extension between mile markers 34 and 54, slow down and be ready for debris. Find sturdy shelter if you can do so safely.
Follow local officials and the National Weather Service for updates until the warning ends or is replaced.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show claims in these counties: 1,317 in Berks, 5,263 in Bucks and 967 in Lehigh, since 1978. These counts cover only insured properties and mostly reflect flooding, not wind damage from storms like this one.
FEMA has made past disaster declarations in the area, including a 2006 severe storms and flooding declaration for Berks County and a 2021 declaration for the remnants of Hurricane Ida in Bucks County.
Updates
- The severe thunderstorm warning expired at 5:45 PM EDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the severe thunderstorm warning; it remains in effect until 5:45 PM EDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the severe thunderstorm warning; it remains in effect until 5:45 PM EDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the severe thunderstorm warning; it remains in effect until 5:45 PM EDT.
- NWS Mount Holly NJ issued the severe thunderstorm warning until 5:45 PM EDT.
History here
Berks County: 1317 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Berks County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4267 (2016): severe winter storm and snowstorm
- DR-4030 (2011): tropical storm lee
- DR-1649 (2006): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
Bucks County: 5263 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Bucks County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4618 (2021): remnants of hurricane ida
- DR-4267 (2016): severe winter storm and snowstorm
- DR-4099 (2013): hurricane sandy
- DR-4030 (2011): tropical storm lee
- DR-4025 (2011): hurricane irene
Lehigh County: 967 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Lehigh County: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a severe thunderstorm warning in Berks County, PA?
- Yes. The National Weather Service has a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect for northeastern Berks County, along with parts of Montgomery, Lehigh and Bucks counties, until 5:45 PM EDT on Friday, October 16, 2026.
- How strong is the storm near Fleetwood, PA?
- At 5:07 PM EDT the storm was over Fleetwood, about 9 miles northeast of Reading, moving east at 55 mph. Radar indicated 70 mph wind gusts and considerable tree damage is expected.
- What should I do during this severe thunderstorm warning?
- The National Weather Service says to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Stay there until the warning expires or officials say it is safe.
Sources
- NWS Mount Holly NJ: Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Oct 16, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.