Emergency issued for N.J. as flash flooding hits eastern U.S.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement the state of emergency went into effect at 8 p.m. EDT "due to flash flooding and severe thunderstorms across the state."
"I urge New Jerseyans to exercise caution, follow all safety protocols and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary."
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for Newark Liberty International Airport due to the weather.
Mayor Jonathan Busch of Metuchen, located in Middlesex County, said on social media that the borough was "experiencing significant flooding." Local police had closed multiple roads and were transporting stranded motorists to the local high school, he said.
In New Providence, local officials were warning residents to stay home, even though the rain had stopped.
"Historic rainfall, please stay in and off the roads," Mayor Al Morgan said on Facebook.
In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was reporting on X that multiple subway lines were suspended due to flooding. Videos circulating online showed water flowing like a river through subway stations and into occupied cars.
New York City Emergency Management said flash flood warnings were in effect for all five boroughs. It said New York City was being lashed with heavy rains and up to 2 or more inches of rain may fall "quickly."
"Flooding can be deadly and often strikes with little or no warning," it said.
"If you live in a basement apartment or low-lying area, be ready to move to high ground. Keep your Go Bag near the door and clear exit paths."
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Why Flash Flooding Is Getting Worse and How to Stay Safe
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In Texas, meanwhile, he says 'we see some of the waivers to the special flood zones and things like that that sort of have allowed more and more things to be built.' James Booth, professor of climate change and weather at the City College of New York, adds that he thinks the most important contributor to the escalation in flash flood risk is 'increase in exposure because there's more people.''For the most part, there's more people in more places across America than there were 50 years ago. So, the increase in exposure [to flash floods]—that's not a tricky physics problem,' Booth says. 'I think we can't discount the possibility that there were flood type events back in 1950 that didn't get recorded because they didn't affect anyone.' While flash floods are on the top of everyone's minds in this moment, Smerdon says, the data 'absolutely shows this has been something that's increasing' over the course of 'decades.' How long do flash floods last? 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