Heavy Rains Inundate The Northeast Causing Deadly Flash Floods Across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Over 24 hours, there were nearly 100 flash flood warnings issued across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
On Tuesday morning, officials with the city of Plainfield, New Jersey announced that two people died after a vehicle was swept away during the height of the storms.
Monday's deaths come after severe storms claimed the lives of two others in the city on July 3. Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Map said, "To lose four residents in such a short span of time is unimaginable. We mourn with the families, and we remain committed to doing all we can to strengthen our emergency response systems and protect our residents from future harm.'
More than 2 inches of rain fell in about an hour in New York City on Monday evening. Dramatic video showed storm water roaring into multiple subway stations in Manhattan. Passengers shared video from inside trains as they watched platforms go underwater. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspended service on several lines.
Above ground, Central Park recorded 2.64 inches of rain. Weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman says that was their heaviest day of rain since March 23, 2024, when the area received 3.66 inches of rain. Erdman adds that Monday's rainfall was also more than half of the city's average monthly rain for July.
Flash floods shut down roads across all five boroughs of the city, but the flooding also extended much farther. Westchester County, north of the city, was hit hard and floodwaters got at least waist-high in some areas. Some drivers had to be rescued from vehicles inundated by water.
(MORE: Soggy East Braces For More Flooding
The village of Elmsford declared a state of emergency after Mayor Robert Williams said the heavy rain caused damage to streets, homes and businesses.
Planes were grounded and hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled at the region's three big airports: John F. Kennedy, Newark and LaGuardia. The delays and cancellations extended into early Tuesday.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency after the northern part of the state got 4 to 6 inches of rain. Dozens of people in places such as New Providence, Plainfield and Scotch Plains had to be rescued, as floodwaters trapped and swept away vehicles.
The mayor of North Plainfield told WABC that people were rescued from at least 30 homes and were sheltering at a community center overnight.
In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the borough of Mount Joy declared a state of emergency, saying the area recorded more than 7 inches of rain in less than five hours. There were reports of more than 5 feet of water in some homes. The fire department said emergency responders performed 16 water rescues.
For today, the main threat of heavy rain is for Washington, D.C. and parts of Virginia. However, a flood threat returns to parts of the Northeast by Thursday.
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