Torrential rains struck New Jersey and New York City on Monday night, unleashing devastating flash floods that have resulted in two confirmed fatalities and significant disruption across the region. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency as efforts to rescue stranded individuals continue. Tragically, in Plainfield, New Jersey, two lives were lost when floodwaters swept away a car during the storm, as reported by Governor Murphy on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that additional storms could bring more flooding to the Northeast, as well as parts of Florida and the Midwest. Many main roads in New Jersey remained closed on Tuesday morning due to the flooding, while both New York City and New Jersey faced subway delays. Newark Liberty International Airport also experienced delays and cancellations due to the heavy rainfall, with over 6 inches (15 cm) of rain recorded in just a few hours on Tuesday night.
In Scotch Plains, New Jersey, emergency responders were called to perform multiple rescues, including one heroic effort utilizing a rope to save a man trapped in his car. The flooding was equally severe in New York City, where subway stations filled with water, forcing passengers to elevate themselves on their seats to avoid getting drenched. The city experienced its second highest hourly rainfall in over eight decades, with 2 inches falling within a mere 30 minutes.
The NWS identified parts of Virginia as also being at risk of catastrophic flooding, with special alerts issued for the cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg. Thankfully, as the heaviest deluge moves eastward, it is expected to weaken in intensity. The NWS is urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to road closures in the wake of this natural disaster, which echoes the recent tragedy in Texas where extreme flash floods took the lives of over 130 individuals, leaving many still missing.
