A powerful storm has triggered a state of emergency in New York City and New Jersey, as torrential rain and flash flooding sweep across the East Coast from New York to Washington, DC.
Forecasters warned that rainfall could reach up to 3 inches per hour, with some areas possibly receiving between 5 to 8 inches. New York City officials cautioned that the downpour could flood streets, subways, and basements. Residents in basement apartments were urged to move to higher floors, and a travel advisory was issued from Thursday afternoon through Friday.
In Queens, the Clearview Expressway was shut down in both directions, with at least two submerged vehicles reported. On Long Island, commuter rail service was suspended on one of the busiest lines during rush hour.
In Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service issued flood warnings as up to 3 inches of rain fell within an hour in areas like Reading, where videos showed cars nearly submerged in floodwater. In Maryland, several water rescues were reported north of Baltimore.
Airports in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington experienced significant delays and cancellations due to the weather.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for NYC and nearby counties, urging early dismissals to avoid the evening commute. “Heavy rain and potential flooding are expected to affect the evening commute,” she posted on X. “Employers are encouraged to dismiss employees early.”
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency effective from 2 p.m. Thursday, warning of flash flooding, damaging winds, and severe thunderstorms. “I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels,” she said.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said emergency officials were preparing for potential response and recovery efforts.
The saturated ground combined with intense rain increases the risk of flash floods, rock slides, and landslides. Officials warned that evening travel could be especially hazardous.
Flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Pennsylvania, northern Maryland, New York City, and northern New Jersey. Washington and Baltimore faced some of the most intense rain, and a severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 8 p.m. for areas including Philadelphia and New York City.
By Thursday night, flash flood and thunderstorm warnings in New York City were lifted, but travel advisories remained in place. A flood watch began Thursday afternoon.
“Be prepared for a serious storm,” said NYC Mayor Eric Adams in a social media post. “Avoid traveling if you can, and set up any flood prevention tools in advance.”
Zachary Iscol, commissioner of NYC Emergency Management, emphasized that the storm could unleash intense rain in a short period. The city had already activated its flash flood emergency plan.
This comes just two weeks after another round of heavy storms flooded parts of the Northeast, including the NYC subway system, and left two people dead in New Jersey.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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