A state of emergency has been declared in New York City and across New Jersey as a powerful storm system barrels through the US east coast, bringing torrential rainfall, dangerous flash flooding, and widespread disruption from New York to Washington DC.
Forecasters had warned of the potential for extreme rainfall, with precipitation rates reaching up to 3 inches per hour in some areas. Isolated locations could see as much as 5 to 8 inches of rain, prompting fears of life-threatening flooding.
In New York City, officials issued urgent warnings that floodwaters could inundate streets, submerge basements, and disrupt parts of the city’s subway system. Residents living in basement flats were urged to move to higher ground, and a travel advisory was issued from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
The Clearview Expressway in Queens was shut in both directions after at least two vehicles were reported submerged. Commuter rail services into Long Island were suspended on one of their busiest lines during peak travel hours, adding to the chaos.
In Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service reported rainfall of up to 3 inches in an hour, leading to street-level flooding in the city of Reading. Online footage showed water racing down roads and rising to the mid-levels of parked vehicles, transforming intersections into virtual lakes.
In Maryland, emergency crews responded to multiple water rescue incidents north of Baltimore, as streets were quickly overwhelmed by floodwaters.
Airports across the region, including in New York, New Jersey, Washington and Philadelphia, reported major delays and flight cancellations due to the extreme weather.
State of Emergency declared in New York
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency covering New York City and nearby counties. Posting on social media just before 2pm, she warned: “Heavy rain and potential flooding are expected to affect the evening commute. Employers are encouraged to dismiss employees early. Continue to monitor your local forecasts, and stay safe.”
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way also declared a state of emergency, effective from 2pm Thursday. “Beginning this afternoon, we are expecting severe thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts with the potential for flash flooding across the state,” Way said in a statement. “I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms.”
In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed that emergency management teams were on standby to respond to any damage or incidents resulting from the storm.
The combination of saturated soil from earlier storms and heavy downpours has increased the risk of flash flooding, landslides, and rock slides across the region. Authorities warned that travel conditions could become particularly hazardous during Thursday evening’s rush hour, when the worst of the rainfall was expected to strike.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for large swathes of Pennsylvania, northern Maryland, parts of New York City, and northern New Jersey. Severe thunderstorm watches remained in place until 8pm across a wide area stretching from Washington DC to New York.
By Thursday night, some of the flood and storm warnings had been lifted in New York City, though risks remained.
The city’s mayor, Eric Adams, urged residents to stay off the roads and prepare flood defences where possible. “Be prepared for a serious storm,” he said in a post on social media. “Avoid travelling if you can, and set up any flood prevention tools in advance.”
Zachary Iscol, commissioner of New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), echoed the call for vigilance. He said the flash flood emergency plan had already been activated and warned that the storm could unleash “intense rainfall rates and amounts in a very short period of time”.
The latest bout of extreme weather comes just two weeks after heavy storms flooded parts of the north-east, submerged sections of the New York City subway, and claimed two lives in New Jersey.
Meteorologists have cautioned that severe storm activity could persist throughout the night, with conditions expected to improve gradually on Friday.
