Two people are dead following intense flash flooding that struck New Jersey and New York City, prompting a state of emergency declared by Governor Phil Murphy. The torrential rains on Monday night caused cars to be swept away, trapping drivers and leading to numerous rescues. In Plainfield, New Jersey, the lives were sadly lost when their vehicle was engulfed by floodwaters.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that additional storms might bring further flooding to the northeast and parts of Florida and the Midwest. Many main roads in New Jersey remain closed, and commuters faced delays on subways in both New York and New Jersey. At Newark Liberty International Airport, flights were delayed due to the weather.
On Tuesday evening, New Jersey reported over 6 inches (15 cm) of rain in just a few hours. Rescuers demonstrated heroism in Scotch Plains, where they used ropes to save individuals trapped in their cars. NYC also experienced significant flooding, with the heaviest rainfall recorded in 80 years causing water to invade subway cars, forcing passengers to find creative means to stay dry.
The NWS indicated that the worst of the rain is shifting to the east but encouraged residents to respect road closures. This weather comes two weeks after devastating floods in Texas resulted in over 130 deaths.
