Latest news with #FlashFloods
CNN
3 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Trump administration pauses research on flooding risk as over 100 perish in deadly summer floods
Storms Donald Trump Climate change Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow The Trump administration has paused work on a new database that would provide Americans with precise estimates of the likelihood of extreme precipitation events in a warming world — a warning of their new flash flood risk. This database would, for the first time, take the influence of climate change into account when making precipitation frequency estimates. It would help people understand their risk, and pave the way for significant cost savings when designing and building infrastructure projects, rather than planning based on data from decades ago, as is currently done. The pause, which was first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by CNN, comes as flash floods from historic deluges have struck from New Mexico to New York City. More than 130 people are confirmed dead in Texas after July 4th's deadly flash flooding, with around 100 people still missing. Global warming is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation events, yet civil engineers, contractors, insurers and everyday property owners currently rely on an outdated database, known as Atlas 14, showing precipitation frequency estimates. This forces builders of roads, bridges and other infrastructure to design their projects with an assumption that the worst rainfall events are occurring less frequently than they actually are. In short, builders are constructing infrastructure for a climate that no longer exists, and homeowners are purchasing new homes without understanding their full risk of costly and deadly flooding. The second, more forward-looking phase of the Atlas 15 project is the one that's been paused, according to an official at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who was not authorized to speak on the matter, but it is possible that the overall project's deadline of 2026 could still be met if funding for it is allocated. Funding for the first phase of the project was provided during the Biden administration. The first volume, which contains updated precipitation extremes estimates but omits climate projections, is due out by the end of 2025, and work on that is continuing, the official said. The two phases are designed to eventually produce a national, interactive database of precipitation frequency estimates, including future projections, such as the statistical likelihood of a 100-year rainfall event at a particular spot each year. (A 100-year rainfall event is one that is so intense, it is only expected to occur once every 100 years on average. Some people also refer to these events and their impacts as 'century floods.') The use of outdated precipitation frequency estimates can have costly consequences when infrastructure is destroyed by a flood that used to rarely occur, but now in a warmer world, it is far more likely. According to NWS spokesperson Erica Grow Cei, the first volume is on schedule to be released by the end of the year and will itself be a 'huge advancement' from what meteorologists and engineers use today, which is outdated and inconsistent across the country. 'This will be a consistent baseline for everybody,' she told CNN. As for the second volume, which would contain the precipitation-related climate projections, she said: 'Volume 2 is under review.' 'Under the Trump Administration, NOAA is committed to producing gold-standard research products that produce the best, most accurate data to serve the national interest, protect public safety, and provide the greatest value for our taxpayers,' said NOAA spokesperson Kim Doster in a statement. Atlas 15 is supposed to move NOAA, and those who depend on the agency, from an assumption that the climate is stationary, to a recognition that precipitation extremes are in the process of changing due largely to the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation. A pilot phase of Atlas 15, containing present day precipitation risk estimates solely for the state of Montana, was released last year. It also shows how rainfall rates for 100-year events could increase with continued global warming. It contains projections for precipitation frequency estimates at 3 degrees Celsius of global warming as well as 1.5 degrees of warming. The world has already warmed by around 1.2 degrees. Prev Next Dan Walker, who co-chairs the American Society of Civil Engineers-NOAA task force on climate resilience in engineering practice, said he is aware the second part of Atlas 15 has hit some turbulence, likely due to its invocation of climate change. 'From my perspective, doing Volume Two is not nearly as expensive and labor intensive as doing volume one,' Walker said. 'So I think Volume One is the heavy lift. Volume Two is more of an ideological lift.' 'This isn't about trying to scare people about, you know, changes in the climate,' he said. 'This is about engineers and businesses and public works, making the best informed decisions possible so that we're not in a situation where we build something today, and in 20 years we have to go back and retrofit it or we're having, you know, storm water control problems, or we're having flooding problems, because we under-designed.'
CNN
3 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Trump administration pauses research on flooding risk as over 100 perish in deadly summer floods
Storms Donald Trump Climate change Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow The Trump administration has paused work on a new database that would provide Americans with precise estimates of the likelihood of extreme precipitation events in a warming world — a warning of their new flash flood risk. This database would, for the first time, take the influence of climate change into account when making precipitation frequency estimates. It would help people understand their risk, and pave the way for significant cost savings when designing and building infrastructure projects, rather than planning based on data from decades ago, as is currently done. The pause, which was first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by CNN, comes as flash floods from historic deluges have struck from New Mexico to New York City. More than 130 people are confirmed dead in Texas after July 4th's deadly flash flooding, with around 100 people still missing. Global warming is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation events, yet civil engineers, contractors, insurers and everyday property owners currently rely on an outdated database, known as Atlas 14, showing precipitation frequency estimates. This forces builders of roads, bridges and other infrastructure to design their projects with an assumption that the worst rainfall events are occurring less frequently than they actually are. In short, builders are constructing infrastructure for a climate that no longer exists, and homeowners are purchasing new homes without understanding their full risk of costly and deadly flooding. The second, more forward-looking phase of the Atlas 15 project is the one that's been paused, according to an official at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who was not authorized to speak on the matter, but it is possible that the overall project's deadline of 2026 could still be met if funding for it is allocated. Funding for the first phase of the project was provided during the Biden administration. The first volume, which contains updated precipitation extremes estimates but omits climate projections, is due out by the end of 2025, and work on that is continuing, the official said. The two phases are designed to eventually produce a national, interactive database of precipitation frequency estimates, including future projections, such as the statistical likelihood of a 100-year rainfall event at a particular spot each year. (A 100-year rainfall event is one that is so intense, it is only expected to occur once every 100 years on average. Some people also refer to these events and their impacts as 'century floods.') The use of outdated precipitation frequency estimates can have costly consequences when infrastructure is destroyed by a flood that used to rarely occur, but now in a warmer world, it is far more likely. According to NWS spokesperson Erica Grow Cei, the first volume is on schedule to be released by the end of the year and will itself be a 'huge advancement' from what meteorologists and engineers use today, which is outdated and inconsistent across the country. 'This will be a consistent baseline for everybody,' she told CNN. As for the second volume, which would contain the precipitation-related climate projections, she said: 'Volume 2 is under review.' 'Under the Trump Administration, NOAA is committed to producing gold-standard research products that produce the best, most accurate data to serve the national interest, protect public safety, and provide the greatest value for our taxpayers,' said NOAA spokesperson Kim Doster in a statement. Atlas 15 is supposed to move NOAA, and those who depend on the agency, from an assumption that the climate is stationary, to a recognition that precipitation extremes are in the process of changing due largely to the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation. A pilot phase of Atlas 15, containing present day precipitation risk estimates solely for the state of Montana, was released last year. It also shows how rainfall rates for 100-year events could increase with continued global warming. It contains projections for precipitation frequency estimates at 3 degrees Celsius of global warming as well as 1.5 degrees of warming. The world has already warmed by around 1.2 degrees. Prev Next Dan Walker, who co-chairs the American Society of Civil Engineers-NOAA task force on climate resilience in engineering practice, said he is aware the second part of Atlas 15 has hit some turbulence, likely due to its invocation of climate change. 'From my perspective, doing Volume Two is not nearly as expensive and labor intensive as doing volume one,' Walker said. 'So I think Volume One is the heavy lift. Volume Two is more of an ideological lift.' 'This isn't about trying to scare people about, you know, changes in the climate,' he said. 'This is about engineers and businesses and public works, making the best informed decisions possible so that we're not in a situation where we build something today, and in 20 years we have to go back and retrofit it or we're having, you know, storm water control problems, or we're having flooding problems, because we under-designed.'
CNA
20 hours ago
- Climate
- CNA
Flash floods hit New York and New Jersey
Scroll up for the next video X Flash floods hit New York and New Jersey
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What can Florida expect as Invest 93L crosses state, even if it doesn't become tropical storm?
Heavy rainfall with a risk for flash floods are predicted across portions of Florida as Invest 93L moves across the state July 15-16, according to the National Weather Service. As is moves into the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center said it has the potential of strengthening into a tropical depression. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location ➤ Track all active storms Most spaghetti models on July 15 show the system moving north after it enters the Gulf, with AccuWeather forecasters predicting a possible landfall July 17 Louisiana. The next named storm of the season will be Dexter. Satellite and radar data indicate the shower and thunderstorm activity associated with the system of low pressure located just offshore of the east coast of Florida remains disorganized, according to the 8 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. This system is forecast to move westward across the Florida Peninsula July 15 and then reach the northeastern Gulf by Wednesday, July 16. Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development, and a tropical depression could form while the system moves across the northeastern and north-central of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of Florida through mid-week. Heavy rainfall could also cause flash flooding for portions of the north-central Gulf Coast during the middle to latter portions of this week. Formation chance through 48 hours: medium, 40 percent Formation chance through 7 days: medium, 40 percent Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. National Weather Service offices around Florida warned on X it was still too early to determine specifics about the track, strength or impacts from Invest 93L and advised residents to monitor forecasts for the latest updates. "Regardless of any further development, associated thunderstorm activity and plentiful tropical moisture will bring the threat of isolated to scattered flash flooding to Florida, with a slight risk in place for the central Peninsula Tuesday," the National Weather Service said. "Increasing thunderstorm chances will shift westward with the low along the central Gulf Coast Wednesday (July 16) with additional isolated instances of flash flooding possible." Pensacola, western Panhandle: Heavy rain could lead to flooding concerns by mid to late week with a high risk of rip currents expected by Thursday. Local impacts will depend on whether this system stays near the coast or out over the Gulf. Tallahassee, central Panhandle: Rain chances ramp up Wednesday and Thursday regardless of development Jacksonville, North/Northeast Florida: Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of Florida and the north-central Gulf coast through the middle to latter portion of this week. Daytona Beach to Stuart, East/Central Florida: Low pressure off of the Florida East Coast will move onshore later this morning/early afternoon and track west across the peninsula. Precipitation along the coast this morning will spread inland with heavy rain. Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches through Wednesday expected, with locally higher amounts of 4-plus inches in spots that receive heavy rainfall multiple days in a row. West Palm Beach to Naples, South/Southwest Florida: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region again today as the tropical disturbance begins to cross the Florida Peninsula. An isolated severe storm or two will be possible. An isolated severe storm is possible, along with strong wind gusts. Fort Myers to Sarasota, West/Southwest Florida: More showers and thunderstorms are expected across the region today, but mainly during this afternoon and evening. Locally heavy rainfall with flooding in urban, low lying, and poor drainage areas possible, along with gusty winds up to 50 mph Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 109. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7 a.m. High near 91. Heat index values as high as 105. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 87. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90% Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 87. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Follow National Weather Service Mobile on X, formerly known as Twitter A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. July 15. Heat index values around 108 are expected across portions the the Big Bend and Florida Panhandle. Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 96. Heat index values as high as 109. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. High near 88. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. High near 90. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90% Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 91. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Follow the National Weather Service Tallahassee on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 101. Breezy, with a northeast wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 91. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms Thursday: A slight chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 a.m. Sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Follow the National Weather Service Jacksonville on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before noon, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 4 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 4 p.m. High near 85. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 88. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 89. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 a.m. High near 89. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Friday: A slight chance of thunderstorms, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 88. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 90. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. High near 90. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. High near 83. South wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Breezy, with a southeast wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Breezy, with a southeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 14 mph. Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5 p.m. High near 85. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 87. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. High near 88. South wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 8 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 88. South wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 91. Southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Follow the National Weather Service Tampa Bay on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 87. Heat index values as high as 98. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 87. Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 89. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Follow the National Weather Service Tampa Bay on X, formerly known as Twitter Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 87. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible Wednesday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 91. South southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 91. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Friday: A slight chance of thunderstorms, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida weather forecast, radar. Invest 93L impacts rain, flooding
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
Watch: Flash flooding and storms lash New York and New Jersey
Heavy rain lashed New York and New Jersey on Monday night, triggering flash floods that shut down subway lines, stranded vehicles and prompted a state of emergency across parts of the US Northeast. A flash flood warning was issued for all five boroughs of New York City, while watches and warnings were also in place across surrounding areas including Baltimore, Newark, New Jersey, and Arlington, Virginia. Some 50 million Americans across the Northeast were under flood watches. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency late on Monday 'due to flash flooding and high levels of rainfall in parts of the state'. He urged residents to 'stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel', adding 'stay safe, New Jersey', in a post on X. Videos posted online showed floodwaters rushing through streets. One clip captured cars submerged in New Jersey as alarms blared in the background. Flash flooding was reported in Bergen and Union counties, where the National Weather Service warned of 'life-threatening' conditions. Some buses and trains in New Jersey were delayed due to the weather. Meanwhile in New York City, some subway services were suspended or running with severe delays because of heavy rainfall, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said. Footage shared on social media showed water surging into underground stations. One video appeared to show a Manhattan 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 in a post on X. 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 NYC'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. 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.'
