Two people have died after flash flooding swamps New York City area
Roughly 15 million Americans in parts of the mid-Atlantic could see severe weather, including Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding impact the Northeast
Parts of New York City flooded on Thursday afternoon as heavy rain blasted the Northeast. Flash flood alerts were in effect across the boroughs and down into New Jersey.
NEW YORK – A line of heavy rain triggered by a potent low pressure system sprawling across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast dumped torrential rain across the New York City area Thursday afternoon, triggering widespread flash flooding.
At least two people have died after becoming trapped in flooded basements, according to the NYPD and FDNY.
In Brooklyn, an FDNY rescue diver entered a flooded basement before removing one individual. That person was transported by Emergency Services to Kings County Hospital, where they were pronounced dead by hospital staff.
In a separate incident in Manhattan, another individual was found inside a flooded boiler room and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Heavy rainfall causes flash flooding in New York City
FLASH FLOODING: Intense rainfall impacted New York City on Thursday causing Brooklyn to look more like a swamp than a city. Several streets were closed and air traffic was snarled.
Videos from witnesses around the New York City area have shown flooded streets with water halfway up passing vehicles' tires as those walking on the sidewalks struggled to keep dry.
Storm spotters reported flooding around the city, with both parts of the George Washington Bridge and the JFK Expressway closed due to flooded lanes.
NYPD reported they had to rescue a person from a flooded car in Brooklyn on 9th Smith Street while water came up to car door depths in Midland and Riverdale, the NWS said.
Rain gauges at LaGuardia Airport showed a whopping 0.25 inches fell in just 7 minutes and 1.04 inches in just 50 minutes.
Overall, rain gauges around the region showed between 1 and 1.5 inches falling in an hour, with storm totals pushing 2-2.5 inches, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
A Flash Flood Warning was issued across the New York City area until 5:30 p.m. ET for continued heavy rainfall.
Flash flooding hits Chelsea area of New York City
Heavy rains and coastal flooding are causing problems around the New York City area. Several inches of water have flooded the Westside Highway in Chelsea
Aside from covering streets and sidewalks, the heavy rains have made life miserable at the three major airports.
Flight delays averaged about 3-4 hours at JFK International, LaGuardia and Newark-Liberty.
The heavy rains were part of a large low pressure system that swept into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
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A level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat remains in place for a good portion of the Northeast and New England from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Providence, Rhode Island.
Wind gusts could exceed 40–50 mph, especially for coastal regions in the Northeast. Wind Advisories continue for costal New Jersey and Delaware. Elsewhere, winds will steadily start to increase, but gusts should not exceed 25 mph, the FOX Forecast Center said.
A Coastal Flood Warning also remains along North Carolina's Outer Banks and up through other portions of the Mid-Atlantic through Friday where beach erosion remains a risk. Coastal flood advisories stretch north through New Jersey.
Along the Outer Banks, 15 homes have collapsed in recent weeks, with five homes falling earlier in the week on Tuesday.
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By Halloween on Friday, the worst of the weather in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast should clear out, but gusty winds will remain in effect, chilling trick-or-treaters.
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Some showers will linger along the Great Lakes in the Northeast, dampening the evening.