Storms Batter Northeastern U.S., Leaving Thousands Without Power and Causing Critical Flooding

Storms batter northeastern US

Flooding in New York

Thousands without electricity

The northeastern United States is experiencing hours of anxiety following intense storms that, since Monday, have caused severe flooding in New York and New Jersey.

In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to the severity of the rain and the rapid rise in water levels that left streets submerged.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood alerts in cities like Newark, Elizabeth, and East Orange, where water covered streets and trapped vehicles.

Videos circulating on social media show cars immobilized in flowing water in areas such as Watchung and North Plainfield in Somerset County.

Emergency Declared in Northeastern US Due to Storms

Storms Batter Northeastern US, Causing Critical Flooding-Photo: Shutterstock

According to EFE, the storm left more than 8,000 people without electricity at its peak, while by the end of the day, more than 5,000 homes remained in the dark, according to Power Outage.

Governor Murphy warned that the situation required maximum caution, stating: “The safety of our residents is the priority as we face these dangerous floods.”

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Additionally, Newark Airport suspended both departures and arrivals until 11:00 p.m. local time, affecting hundreds of passengers.

Across the Hudson River, New York Governor Kathy Hochul reported rescue operations in Westchester and Rockland, without specifying whether there were fatalities.

Severe Flooding in New York

“Several rescues have been carried out,” said Hochul, emphasizing the need to stay alert to how quickly water levels can rise.

The NWS issued a flash flood warning for all five boroughs of New York City, where the subway system suffered severe delays and flooding in multiple stations, noted Yahoo News.

Videos shared show passengers trying to escape up flooded stairways as water poured onto platforms and passageways in the underground system.

On social media platform X, New York City Emergency Management warned residents living in basements or ground floors: “Move to higher ground; these areas can fill with water in minutes and become deadly.”

Rescues and Transportation Chaos

The message aimed to reinforce calls for caution as the rain persisted through Monday night and into Tuesday morning.

Shortly after 10:00 p.m. local time, the NWS indicated that the heaviest rainfall was shifting eastward and weakening but warned of “residual flooding” in many areas.

“Pay attention to road closures,” urged the agency in an emergency bulletin highlighting the risk posed by areas still submerged.

In Pennsylvania, tense moments were also reported, with 16 people rescued from floods and more than 30 emergency calls from residents trapped in basements, according to EFE.

US Authorities Warn of Persistent Danger of Flooding

No fatalities have been confirmed in these states so far, but the number of affected people and infrastructure damage is raising concern among authorities.

The storm comes just a week after heavy rains in Texas caused the deaths of at least 120 people and the disappearance of nearly 170 others.

Meteorologists warn that saturated soil from previous rains increases the danger of flash floods, a threat that will persist as intermittent rainfall continues.

Local and state authorities urged the public not to underestimate the destructive power of water and to avoid unnecessary travel on closed roads or through flooded areas.

Impact and Calls for Prevention

“We want everyone to get home safely,” emphasized Governor Hochul, who reminded the public of the fragility of urban infrastructure in the face of such intense rainfall.

New York City’s subway system, vital for millions, continues to experience delays and partial suspensions on several lines as crews work to drain flooded stations.

Meanwhile, emergency teams in New Jersey are still inspecting flooded streets and downed power lines in efforts to restore service to thousands of users.

The torrential rains have once again exposed the vulnerability of major northeastern cities to increasingly extreme and frequent weather events.

The message from authorities is clear: stay informed, heed alerts, and take preventive measures to protect lives in the face of the very real and present danger of flooding, noted EFE and Yahoo News.