Severe thunderstorms and showers across the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast triggered deadly flash flooding in the tristate area, where roads were turned into rivers, cars were submerged in fast-rising waters, and water rescues unfolded on Long Island and in Connecticut.
Heavy rain pounded New York, Connecticut and New Jersey overnight. Two locations — Suffolk County, New York, and parts of Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut — experienced historic rain, reaching the threshold of 1,000-year rainfall event.
About 10 inches of rain fell in 12 hours around Oxford and Southbury, Connecticut; meanwhile, Suffolk County clocked an estimated 7 inches in three hours near Stony Brook.
In Long Island, a flash flood emergency was declared Sunday evening for Suffolk County and expired early Monday. The National Weather Service office in New York reported that locally over 10 inches of rain were recorded in some areas in the storms from Saturday night through Monday morning.
Multiple water rescues were taking place Sunday night in parts of Nesconset, Ronkonkoma, Smithtown and St. James, in Suffolk County, the weather office said.
Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine said Monday morning he would sign an order declaring a state of emergency after having surveyed storm damage.
Meanwhile, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Sunday called the deluge a "historic storm in some areas" of the state, noting urban search-and-rescue teams helped evacuate at least 100 people.
On Monday he declared a state of emergency in response to “significant flooding” that “has caused extensive structural damage to roadways.” He said more than two dozen roads will be closed for an extended period and urged locals to avoid driving through flooded roads.
At least three people have died.
Two women died after they were "swept away from their vehicles" in floodwaters Sunday in Oxford, Connecticut, Connecticut State Police said in a news conference Monday morning.
State police had responded to Route 67 in Oxford around 5 p.m. Sunday for a report of two missing people amid intense flooding. The bodies of Ethelyn Joiner, 65, and Audrey Rostkowski, 71, both of Oxford, were recovered Monday, police said in a news release.
In Henrico County, Virginia, a man was found dead Sunday afternoon after large tree fell on top of his vehicle, the Henrico County Police Division said.
In Danbury, Connecticut, video showed cars submerged in knee-deep flooding.
Multiple buildings in Danbury were evacuated Sunday after city officials described a “mudslide situation” triggered by flooding. Emergency crews also evacuated 100 people from a housing complex for older people, and fire officials said at least 20 people were rescued from flooded cars, the Danbury Fire Department said.
In New York City, video on social media showed water pouring down from the ceiling of the popular tourist destination Chelsea Market.
The deluge has also affected transit. The Metro-North Railroad suspended the Waterbury Branch service in both directions early Monday because of a mudslide near Seymour. Amtrak also suspended rail traffic Sunday night between New York and Philadelphia because of flooding.
Ground stops were issued at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and departures were grounded at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because of the thunderstorms Sunday night.
The intense Northeast rain is connected not to Hurricane Ernesto but to a slow-moving summer cold front producing thunderstorms.
Even more rain is on the way with more thunderstorms forecast across the Northeast and New England on Monday afternoon and evening.
Flooding rain is most likely from Connecticut north into Vermont and New Hampshire, where additional rain amounts of 1 to 4 inches will be possible. Cities likely to be affected by flooding include New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Montpelier and Burlington, Vermont.
