The Northeast is bracing for significant weather disruptions as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms sweep through the region. The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for several areas, including New York City, Long Island, and parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The sudden downpours follow a scorching heat wave that left millions sweltering under triple-digit temperatures.
The storm system is expected to bring up to 3 inches of rain per hour in some areas, with isolated regions potentially receiving up to 8 inches of rainfall. This intense precipitation has raised concerns about urban flooding particularly in low-lying neighborhoods and areas with poor drainage systems.
New York City and Long Island Under High Alert
New York City and Long Island are facing the brunt of the storm, with a level 3 out of 4 threat for flash flooding. The New York City metropolitan area is under a flood watch through Monday night, and a flash flood warning has been issued for the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, where 1 to 2 inches of rain had already fallen by Monday morning.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged residents to take precautions and stay vigilant. In a video statement released on Sunday, Mamdani advised New Yorkers to clear catch basins and prepare historically flood-prone neighborhoods for the impending storm. He also asked residents living in basement apartments to plan for possible evacuation.
“If you see water rising around you, move to higher ground,” Mamdani said, emphasizing the importance of safety during such severe weather events.
Severe Weather Impacts Across the Region
The storms have already caused significant disruptions across the Northeast. In Ocean Township, New Jersey, severe weather likely caused the roof of a BJ’s Wholesale Club to partially collapse while 27 people were inside the store. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident highlights the unpredictable nature of severe weather.
Air travel has also been heavily impacted, with more than 700 flights canceled as of Monday afternoon at New York and New Jersey airports. Major airports in the region are experiencing flight delays of more than an hour due to thunderstorms, with ground stops being issued by the Federal Aviation Administration throughout the day.
The storms follow a multi-day heat wave that has affected much of the East Coast. Parts of the mid-Atlantic and South saw heavy rain on Sunday night, and at one point, more than 800,000 utility customers from Oklahoma to Connecticut lost electricity. In New Jersey, Gov. Mikie Sherrill reported that thunderstorms over the weekend knocked out power to nearly 300,000 utility customers and that wind gusts of up to 80 mph toppled trees and power lines.
At least 25 people are suspected to have died in New Jersey from the sweltering heat wave, according to officials. As of Monday morning, 60,424 utility customers in New Jersey43,664 in New Yorkmore than 95,000 across Pennsylvania and at least 100,000 in Michigan remained without power.
Long Island and Surrounding Areas Brace for More Rain
Both Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island are under a state of emergency as the region prepares for more heavy rainfall. The FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach had to be canceled on Monday due to the inclement weather. As of noon, there were more than 4,500 power outages across Nassau and Suffolk counties, and 400 trees have fallen, according to PSEG.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul who is on Long Island on Monday, spoke about the severe weather and the importance of heeding flash flood warnings. She advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain, never drive through flooded roadways, secure outdoor items, charge electronic devices, and bring pets indoors.
In Westchester, fallen trees brought down power lines, causing some residents to suffer two days without power. Workers from NYSEG and utility crews from Central New York spent Monday morning restoring power. The City of Rye has prohibited parking in flood-prone areas and will remove vehicles left in those zones.
As the Northeast continues to grapple with the aftermath of the heat wave and the ongoing storms, residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
