Emily Babay

I filed repeated updates to a story about widespread flooding in the Philadelphia in May 2014. I also posted updates and photos (which were used on Philly.com) to social media from one of the most significant flood sites. The heavy rain had fallen overnight, and my tweets were some of the earliest to show the severity of the flooding.

 

Flooding at 23td and arch: pic.twitter.com/Olk8lN48bS

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Towing company worker here says cars in 23rd and Arch lot/blocks nearby are total losses: pic.twitter.com/z6DMX8dZn3

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Parking garage here is also flooded: pic.twitter.com/cRZkP5A93U

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Water flowing into lobby of Westminster Arch building at 23rd and Arch: pic.twitter.com/QeQHoRLuu7

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Flooded playground/courtyard at Green Towne Montessori School: pic.twitter.com/fYzO8OJeJt

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Flooding on 23rd street near Cherry: pic.twitter.com/WTYYS0PcMT

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

And here's Cherry: pic.twitter.com/IXWRjDprpQ

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

OH at flood scene: tow truck company workers fighting over how they determine who gets the next car.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Also OH at flood scene: woman yells at driver turning onto closed st. He responds: "why are you cursing so much so early in the morning?"

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Residents near 23rd and Arch say parking garage flooded quickly, bottom level filled in less than an hour.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

If you were planning to run along the Schuylkill today…this is as close to the path you can get from Race street: pic.twitter.com/MuZd8PPMws

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Lots of traffic congestion near 22nd and Arch due to flooding, street closures.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

My stories so far on Naudain St explosion/fire: http://t.co/M9y5XrOWcA and widespread flooding: http://t.co/C8G0m9fPpH Updates TK

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Are you in an area that was affected by the storm? Tweet us your flood photos and we'll feature them on @phillydotcom. Stay safe out there!

— Philly.com Photos (@PhillyLens) May 1, 2014

Here's @PhillyLens' updated gallery of flood photos from the Philly area: http://t.co/UQ9igMVqCm

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Area rivers well above flood stage, via @NWS_MountHolly (1/3): Schuylkill in Philly: pic.twitter.com/Sv6mHSVgKR

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Area rivers well above flood stage, via @NWS_MountHolly (2/3): Schuylkill at Norristown pic.twitter.com/feZJPuxEYk

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Area rivers well above flood stage, via @NWS_MountHolly (3/3): Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford pic.twitter.com/Evn1tDh7JZ

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Rainfall at #PHL before midnight set record for date, with 4.42 inches. More info on the rain/flooding: http://t.co/9huy4Qljoo

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Latest Philly-area rainfall totals: http://t.co/tOo95HZTHO Spring City in Chesco leads w/ 6.56 inches.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Flood warnings extended again for Philly area, now until 3:45 pm for most of area (even later in some parts of NJ): http://t.co/9huy4Qljoo

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

Update: Phila. officials say many roads remain flooded, Schuylkill crested higher than during Irene and Sandy: http://t.co/C8G0m9fPpH

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) May 1, 2014

When a major fire broke out an historic suit store in Old City, I wrote a quick web story, then went to the scene and posted updates and photos on social media. Live updates from the scene are below:

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I covered several days of suitability hearings for the applicants bidding for Philadelphia’s second casino license, live-tweeting the proceedings and filing multiple stories. Below are links to the stories I wrote and my tweets from the hearings (tweets for each presentation are in chronological order).

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I posted updates, photos and videos from the scene of a building collapse that killed six people in Philadelphia, and sent in information that my newsroom colleagues incorporated into articles. I reported from the collapse scene for several hours the day of the disaster, as well as much of the day after, as crews continued clearing rubble from and investigating at the site.

 

At 22nd and Market bldg collapse. Several ambulances have left scene, with sirens blaring.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

The collapse scene from 22nd Street. pic.twitter.com/IoGrJIjSNZ

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

One witness describes sound of building collapse as "like a freight train." Says he heard people moaning inside.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

RT @phillynews: Update: 2 buildings collapsed in Center City: a thrift store and a 4-story with apartments above http://t.co/7j6FX4cGsM

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Another ambulance leaves the scene of the Center City building collapse: pic.twitter.com/7Hv8i3qTTW

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

A 23 y/o man who pulled others from bldg says "dust was so thick you couldn't see in front of your face."

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

RT @PhillyPolice: We're waiting for words from the Mayor on specifics about the building collapse in Center City. He is on the scene

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Another photo from building collapse scene. At 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/HtaJlrajw4

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

City officials say 12 people have been transported to area hospitals after bldg collapse. Unsure whether there are others.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Officials stress rescue op is still active. Nutter: "this is delicate. This is dangerous work"

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

City officials say construction co. had demolition permits, no existing violations at building.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Everyone transported from bldg collapse is stable, had minor injuries. Man who rescued some told me mostly cuts/bruises/dust inhalation

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Roads still blocked off after bldg collapse: 18th to the Schuylkill between BF Parkway and Walnut

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Worker surveys damage from above at scene of Center city building collapse: pic.twitter.com/TiK1JjnyaN

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Ambulances have pulled up next to debris from building collapse.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Looks like rescue crews prepping ambulance for another victim in front of Salvation Army. Other ambulances are largely blocking view, though

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Another ambulance leaves bldg collapse scene, heading west with sirens on. Other ambulances were blocking … http://t.co/KxTUp6u3Lf

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

A priest just left the scene where the ambulance departed. Declined to comment.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

RT @FarFarrAway: Six from rubble were at HUP one already discharged.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Officials say search for survivors will continue. Nutter: "we did not know and we do not know how many people were in the thrift store"

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Fire crews are preparing for a 12-24 hour operation. Fresh staffers will "continue to dig," Commissioner Ayers says

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

If anyone else is in rubble, Nutter says, "our folks will find them."

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Alright folks, heading away from bldg collapse, prob until early tmrw am. For updates, follow @phillydotcom @phillynews @PhillyInquirer

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Not taking 5 min. to procure sunscreen at some point today was not one of my better on-the-job decisions.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

Since I haven't tweeted the link in a while…what we know so far about the building collapse in Center City: http://t.co/uU0Cm5FFqa

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 5, 2013

The scene at 22nd and Market this morning: pic.twitter.com/chOhEppuiW

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Another 22nd and Market photo: pic.twitter.com/Y6Kru2pBNP

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Fire crews moving gear around at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/va2l1AqKjV

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

From 22nd Street, south of Market: pic.twitter.com/j1W4NKiOwa

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Closer shot of the debris still at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/b2TYHQTGvl

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Firefighters, police, debris still at 22nd and Market. No line up of ambulances, though.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Update from earlier tweet: Still an ambulance here. (Was blocked by fire truck earlier). But not the fleet of them here yesterday.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Police say Market Street still closed btwn 20th and 23rd, and on Arch at 22nd. Best to swing wide away from scene on your morning commute.

— Carolyn Davis (@carolyntweets) June 6, 2013

Pretty quiet at 22nd and Market right now. Fire crews resting, sitting on truck. Can see racks of shirts in thrift store rubble.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

A truck just pulled up to cart away a dumpster of debris. pic.twitter.com/Gfet3BWKat

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Routes 7, 31, 38, 44, 124, 125: Area perimeter set up Market St, 21st to 23rd St. Check System Status for detours: http://t.co/acFjCC2gvK

— SEPTA_SOCIAL (@SEPTA_SOCIAL) June 6, 2013

Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, 36: Trolleys are bypassing 22nd St Station until further notice in both directions due to police/fire dept activity.

— SEPTA_SOCIAL (@SEPTA_SOCIAL) June 6, 2013

Workers clearing debris at 22nd and Market. Truck just took away a dumpster of rubble. pic.twitter.com/w2TVvn0Wnc

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Cops at 22nd and Market scream at skateboarder who totally ignores scene boundaries, tries to skate through intersection

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Some shots from 22nd and Market collapse site, shortly after 7:30 am https://t.co/sEuTH5fU2G

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

rubble clearing has just begun at #buildingcollapse police and fire still standing by…no indications that this is still a rescue effort

— Kevin McCorry (@byKevinMcCorry) June 6, 2013

Starting to clear the rubble at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/lMYIpAczdQ

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Forklift pushing pile of debris at 22nd and Market: pic.twitter.com/B3inSKQiAO

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Short rubble clearing video from 22nd and Market: https://t.co/soOo1vz03b

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

More from the scene at 22nd and Market this am: https://t.co/Uceulk6bhD

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Fire crews still not actively digging in rubble, just used forklift to clear chunks of debris at 22nd and market.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Officials have also been examining the back of the bldg, near Salvation Army donation center, here: pic.twitter.com/A3uMkFiVW6

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Clean up continuing at site of Philly building collapse: https://t.co/0HZcgQwWMY

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Dumpsters being loaded with rubble at site of Philly building collapse: pic.twitter.com/yVKaBZywIG

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Someone from ATF is at the Philly bldg collapse scene, with a dog: pic.twitter.com/7uCwgswp32

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Fire crews at bldg collapse site. Standing by right now, observing clearing of debris: pic.twitter.com/XWlzSZH0h7

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Mayor Nuter will address the media at 10am for the latest on the #buildingcollapse

— Eric Gripp (@PPDEricGripp) June 6, 2013

The current scene at 22nd and Market. Still clearing the rubble. https://t.co/uX0jCZEKrJ

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

An update from HUP on the six patients sent there after last night's building collapse: Four are still there, three stable and one critical.

— Aubrey Whelan (@aubreyjwhelan) June 6, 2013

Still awaiting start of bldg collapse press conf w/ Nutter et al. Crews have now entered the debris area for first time this a.m.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Crews in the rubble. (Photo From across street and w/ equipment in the way) pic.twitter.com/tOLauBZGWX

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Crews using cherry-picker to survey upper floors of collapsed building: pic.twitter.com/4UTVgcZ3wv

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Three patients were sent to Hahnemann Univ. Hospital yesterday after the collapse. Two were treated/released; one remains in fair condition.

— Aubrey Whelan (@aubreyjwhelan) June 6, 2013

Crews beginning to knock down thrift store.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

About to tweet a bunch of updates from bldg collapse press conf …

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Nutter: 75 percent of scene has been searched, 25 percent left, including areas inside thrift store.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Names of Philly building collapse victims are expected to be released later today.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Lots of questions about demo rules. Officials say only 1 inspection required after permit issued, no special qualifications to get permit

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

City got complaint about neighboring bldg in early May. Went to site,found no violations. Demo at collapsed bldg hadn't started yet

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

RT @DanaDiFilippo: Mayor: Bldgs get demolished all the time in Philly w/ active Bldgs next to them. "Something obviously went wrong here."

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

L&I says no officials checked building betw May 14 and day of collapse.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

What's left of the thrift store. Crews knocking walls down to continue search. pic.twitter.com/FPdPGyprvL

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Here's what the Philly building collapse scene looks like now: https://t.co/H7vfzl5fSo

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Here's the collapse scene from the other side of Market: pic.twitter.com/bGP8VNspka

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Red Cross bringing sandwiches for crews at Philly building collapse: pic.twitter.com/b6nDds8AfV

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Here's what's happening on 22nd st, south of Market, right now: https://t.co/f5xx6ZTOZr

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Listen to Philadelphia Fire Department's dispatch right after building collapse on Market Street @phillydotcom http://t.co/VsTTWjInzR

— Lexie Norcross (@LexieNorcross) June 6, 2013

Mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald says city suspended demo work Griffin T. Campbell (contractor in bldg collapse) has elsewhere in Philly.

— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013

Atty Bob Mongeluzzi, who reps victims in other collapses, is demanding moratorium on all city demolition projects next to occupied bldgs.

— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013

Crime scene unit at Philly building collapse. No word on why, though: pic.twitter.com/ljPF3PWwn2

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

RT @Ben_Finley: The Philadelphia DA is on the scene of the collapse. No comment yet as to why.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Forklift starting to work on east side of collapsed thrift store: pic.twitter.com/Ve8zMOo0Sg

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Firefighters watching forklift remove debris at Philly bldg collapse site: pic.twitter.com/JUKgLTiYdA

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Woman with flowers at site of bldg collapse. Not permitted close to acrne. Hands to firefighter. pic.twitter.com/Jg2SJrsFYd

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Updated Road Closures Due to Building Collapse Yesterday in Center City. 21st Street to 23rd Street and Chestnut to Arch.

— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) June 6, 2013

What we know so far: Mayor pledges full investigation after 6 die in Philadelphia building collapse http://t.co/x9LOGhjmzH

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

You guys are going to be so sick of forklift vines by the time this scene is cleared. https://t.co/4rL9hr48pH

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Heather Sizemore of WMount Airy brings flowers to collapse site in memory of her friend Kim Flanigan, 36. pic.twitter.com/SFlo19MJNo

— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013

Friend: Kim Flanigan worked for Salvation Army in its Roxborough store. Yesterday was her first day on Market Street. She died in collapse.

— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013

Firefighters are still crowded around one spot, where forklift is removing rubble, at site of building collapse. Unclear why.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Investigators from crime scene unit, though, aren't amid rubble. They're standing on 22nd St, where a dumpster was earlier.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Going to charge my phone for a bit. I'll have more on the building collapse later.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Final debris-clearing shot before my short break: pic.twitter.com/TqzTNo3sSY

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Salvation Army donation center wall gets knocked down: https://t.co/L3npbQMTnr

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

RT @Ben_Finley: A fireman just placed flowers at the front door – which is still standing – of the collapsed building on Market Street.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

With a new layer of sunscreen and a partially charged phone, I'm heading back to the collapse site.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Scene now at 22nd and Market. Thrift store gone: pic.twitter.com/ZlbBVm74ok

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Here is a memorial photo display set up for one of the Philly building collapse victims: pic.twitter.com/ZTfyYdKYX7

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Six seconds of the clean up scene at the former thrift store: https://t.co/AeZCauYmTD

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Another look at the now-torn-down thrift store: pic.twitter.com/Jy1favuR8C

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Here's a few angles of what clean up looks like now at 22nd and Market: https://t.co/3pi8gbtxdx

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Occasionally windy day = constantly taking my cardigan on and off at this building collapse scene.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Debris, forklift, truck, dumpster. Clean up continues: pic.twitter.com/ZgpSWhHM9U

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Here's what the demolished thrift store looks like from the back: pic.twitter.com/UfCdBFnMTl

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

You can still see clothes in the piles of debris from the thrift store.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Knocking down debris from upper floors: pic.twitter.com/1t3KM6ahsg

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

One last look at the scene before I head off. Lots of clean up to go: https://t.co/RzftMKTMEq

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

The latest on the Philly building collapse, with @frankkummer and @BrianXMcCrone: http://t.co/X44F2fPqVi

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Thrift store photos: 5am: http://t.co/DrJNtcgZhA 11am: http://t.co/k0whbddjYp 2:15pm: http://t.co/Sc5Gl2osYo 2:30 pm: http://t.co/XhA1G3NLeI

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

Philly collapse: Fire PIO says they've searched most of the scene and have no unaccounted-for victims. But search ongoingjust in case.

— Dana DiFilippo (@DanaDiFilippo) June 6, 2013

RT @phillydotcom: Updated story: 6 killed in thrift shop collapse identified http://t.co/cXC8bOFfz9

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 6, 2013

RT @NotesFromHeL: L&I details "proactive" construction and demo site inspections. http://t.co/uqOlReVMBg

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 7, 2013

Here's what we know so far about the 6 people killed in the building collapse: http://t.co/P2mq2fwfKN

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 7, 2013

Market street is reopened in area of the building collapse (2200 Market Street) 2100 Ludlow and the Unit block of S. 22nd will remain closed

— Jillian Russell (@PPDJillRussell) June 7, 2013

The latest on road closures/SEPTA detours near building collapse site: http://t.co/EieoddkZZo Market St open, most bus detours have ended.

— Emily Babay (@emilybabay) June 7, 2013

The day Mitt Romney announced Paul Ryan as his running mate, I created a Storify of their campaign stops in Virginia, compiling videos, photographs and context about the events.

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When I major storm hit the D.C. area, I compiled residents’ reactions and photographs in a Storify. I also ran the Washington Examiner’s local news Twitter account the day after storm, providing updates on deaths, power outages and resources.

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The Washington Examiner

By Emily Babay

Jayna Murray died in a “horrific” argument with her co-worker at a Bethesda yoga store — but the killing was not a premeditated murder, an attorney for the woman charged in Murray’s death says.

Brittany Norwood “lost it” and “unfortunately and stupidly” killed Murray at the Lululemon Athletica where the pair worked, Douglas Wood, an attorney for Norwood, said in his opening statement at her trial.

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Live tweets from the courtroom during jury deliberations, the verdict and sentencing for a woman charged with murder in the death of her 2-year-old granddaughter.

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The Washington Examiner

By Emily Babay

Neighbors of a 2-year-old Falls Church girl had no answers for why the toddler’s grandmother who often baby-sat the child would throw her from a six-story parking garage, killing her.

Fairfax police offered no motive for the actions of 50-year-old Carmela Dela Rosa. But they said they were sure that the child’s death was intentionally caused by Dela Rosa, and charged her with murder.

Angelyn Ogdoc was severely injured after being thrown from a walkway connecting the Tysons Corner Center mall with a parking garage at about 7 p.m. Monday, Fairfax County police said.

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The Washington Examiner

By Emily Babay

A former Leesburg resident was arrested in connection with stabbings that have killed five people and wounded 13 in three states, but police say the motive for the attacks is still unclear.

Elias Abuelazam, 33, was arrested at about 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Tel Aviv.

He has been charged with one count of assault with intent to murder in Michigan, where police allege Abuelazam has killed five people and injured nine in the Flint area. Police say also say he stabbed three people in Leesburg and one in Toledo, Ohio, in early August.

Though charges have not yet been filed in Virginia, police can place Abuelazam and his vehicle “in the Northern Virginia area during the time of our assaults,” Leesburg Police Chief Joseph Price said Thursday.
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