Severe storms moved slowly through the Northeast on Monday, unleashing heavy rain that led to flash floods in New York City, flooded roads, and disrupted air travel. Nearly 100 flash flood warnings were issued across the region over a 24-hour period. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives in Plainfield, New Jersey, when their vehicle was swept away during the storm. This adds to the two previous storm-related fatalities in the city on July 3. Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Map expressed deep sorrow over the loss of four residents within a short timeframe and pledged to enhance emergency response efforts to protect the community from future harm.
In New York City, over 2 inches of rain fell in just one hour, causing dramatic flooding in subway stations and prompting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to suspend service on several lines. The city also experienced its heaviest rainfall since March 23, 2024. Flash floods impacted roads throughout the five boroughs and extended into neighboring areas like Westchester County, where floodwaters reached waist-high levels and caused significant damage.
The heavy rain also affected air travel, with hundreds of flights delayed or canceled at major airports like JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia. In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as some areas received 4 to 6 inches of rain, leading to numerous rescues and evacuations. Similar emergency situations unfolded in Pennsylvania, where Mount Joy saw more than 7 inches of rain in less than five hours, resulting in water entering homes and requiring multiple rescue operations.
Looking ahead, the threat of heavy rain shifts to Washington, D.C., and parts of Virginia, but the Northeast may face another flood risk by Thursday.
