Two killed as flash flooding sweeps New Jersey and New York
Torrential rain lashed the area on Monday night, with a flash flood warning issued for all five boroughs of New York City and a state of emergency declared in New Jersey.
Two people died in the state when their vehicle was swept into a river, with emergency responders at the scene unable to save them, local officials said.
Phil Murphy, the state's governor, urged residents to 'stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel'.
In New York, flash floods shut down subway lines and left vehicles stranded, while footage shared on social media showed water surging into underground stations.
More than two inches of rain fell in a single hour in the city.
In downtown Manhattan, dozens of passengers were reportedly left trapped on a train as water poured into the 28th street station.
One video showed a platform completely flooded, with passengers climbing onto train seats to escape the rising water.
City officials urged residents to steer clear of flood-prone areas. 'If you live in a basement apartment or low-lying area, be ready to move to higher ground,' New York City Emergency Management said.
On Monday, weather watches and warnings were in place across surrounding areas including Baltimore, Newark, New Jersey, and Arlington, Virginia.
Flash flooding was also reported in Bergen and Union counties, where the National Weather Service warned of 'life-threatening' conditions.
On Staten Island, railway services were suspended in both directions due to flooding.
A flood warning was issued for the area which had recorded about 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 centimetres) of rain, according to New York City's emergency notification system.
At least one water rescue operation was under way in Westchester County, north of New York City.
'At this time, residents are still strongly advised to avoid all travel unless fleeing an area that is subject to flooding, or under an evacuation order,' said Carolyn Fortino, a spokesperson for the county executive.
A flood warning remained in effect until Tuesday morning for parts of New Jersey, while the slow-moving summer storm was expected to continue showering the Mid-Atlantic region into the middle of the week.
There are multiple areas where flash flooding is possible today. Any localized flash flooding can have severe impacts. If a Flash Flood Warning is issued for your area, avoid travel if possible, and never drive into flooded roadways. Turn around, don't drown! pic.twitter.com/QUF1DGQDME
— National Weather Service (@NWS) July 15, 2025
The National Weather Service forecasted that New York City would remain mainly dry after the initial rainfall on Monday night. 'However, a few isolated showers or a thunderstorm is possible this afternoon and evening,' they added.
Airports across the East Coast also faced widespread disruption. A total of 1,966 flights were cancelled and more than 10,000 were delayed.
Ground stops were issued at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports, while John F Kennedy Airport warned of widespread delays.
United Airlines, which has a hub at Newark, said: 'Severe weather conditions are impacting operations at Newark Liberty with a ground stop issued to manage volume and limit congestion.'
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