Two People Die After Flash Floods Slam Northeast U.S.

At least two people died in New Jersey Monday amid flash floods sparked by extreme rain. The torrential downpour lashed vast swaths of the Northeast U.S. Monday, inundating New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Fast-rising waters stranded vehicles, shut down transit lines, and prompted water rescues across the region, just a week after flash floods killed more than 100 people in Texas; as of Monday evening, there were at least 185 reports of flooding across the U.S., The Washington Post reported. New York City experienced its second-wettest hour on record, after more than 2 inches of rain fell between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. ET, CNN reported. The latest deluge is just the latest point in a pattern of increased levels of rainfall this summer, particularly across the central and eastern U.S.

Extreme rain is driven by high atmospheric moisture levels and unusually warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures, both of which are exacerbated by climate change. Climate experts have long warned that rising temperatures mean flash floods are likely to be more frequent and more severe, and communities in flood-prone areas will have to adapt to that reality even as the Trump administration rows back funding for disaster relief and climate preparedness.

Flooding on the New Jersey Turnpike this evening, with nearly 9 inches of rain being recorded in parts of Union County over the last two hours.
A state of emergency is in effect and a flash flood warning is in effect as well. pic.twitter.com/1NUR5aF1Yh

— Shlomo Schorr (@OneJerseySchorr) July 14, 2025

New Jersey appeared among the worst affected by Monday’s storm: State Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Monday evening, and local law enforcement began reporting flash flooding in Union County and the surrounding area at around 6:30 p.m. ET, with radar estimates showing rainfall totals exceeding 6 inches, according to New York Metro Weather. Flood conditions were especially severe in Central Jersey along the Route 22 corridor in Watchung, Plainfield, North Plainfield, and Somerville, northjersey.com reported.

Many roads and transit lines were still closed as of Tuesday morning, Stamford Advocate reported. Emergency responders performed dozens of water rescues, particularly in Union County, where drivers became trapped in their vehicles as waters rose, according to CBS News. Dozens of flights at Newark Liberty International Airport were also canceled as of early Tuesday, The New York Times reported.

In New York City, water surged into the subway system, with videos posted to social media showing water gushing onto platforms and into train cars. Several lines were disrupted, although most were back to their usual schedule as of Tuesday morning, according to the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Footage shows flooding at the 28th Street station in New York City on Monday night as slow-moving thunderstorms hit the Northeast.

Flash flood warnings were issued for cities including New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Newark, New Jersey, and Arlington, Virginia -… pic.twitter.com/m8xYgNS1HD

— Abrar Mirza (@AbrarMirza52) July 15, 2025

In Pennsylvania, the town of Glen Mawr was forced to evacuate as extreme flash floods triggered multiple mudslides in the area, the Weather Channel reported. Mount Joy, in the southeast of the state, declared a disaster emergency after more than 7 inches of rain fell in less than five hours, according to the local fire department. Emergency responders made 16 water rescues throughout the state, NPR reported.

The floods also created dangerous driving conditions on roadways in Virginia and Maryland. Petersburg and Colonial Heights, Virginia, recorded 2 to 3 inches of rain fall in less than two hours, prompting a flash flood warning late Monday, CNN reported. Roads became inundated in multiple Virginia towns, stranding or washing away vehicles as flood waters rose, according to Fox 5 D.C.. In Maryland, four people were rescued from floodwaters in northeast Baltimore, according to CBS News.

New Jersey and New York City battered by heavy rain and flash floods: The Northeast has been significantly impacted by severe flooding and torrential rain, compelling #NewJersey Governor Phil Murphy to issue a state of emergency declaration. This adverse weather event has… pic.twitter.com/lrV2bjZ2FG

— WATCHTOWER (@news_24_365) July 15, 2025

The National Weather Service has forecast more rain, thunderstorms, and patches of flooding rain lingering over the Northeast through Thursday, July 17. Flood watches and warnings remain in effect for parts of Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., and New Jersey as of Tuesday morning.