Flash Flooding Swamps Northeast Metro Areas as Extreme Rain Threatens Millions

Millions across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic woke up Tuesday under flash flood watches as slow-moving summer storms brought heavy showers to the East Coast, turning highways into rivers and stranding people in vehicles on waterlogged roads.

Flooding hit near Newark, New Jersey, New York City, northern Virginia and southern Maryland, with more rain expected throughout Tuesday. New Jersey declared a state of emergency Monday night, with Gov. Phil Murphy warning residents to "remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary."

The weather service warned that more rain was coming after heavy showers swept east, including across New York City, which experienced its second wettest hour on record Monday night. A little over 2 inches fell between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time, only beaten by the roughly three-and-a-half inches recorded during Hurricane Ida's remnants in 2021.

Subways Turn Into Rivers