News Summary
New York City and parts of New Jersey are facing severe flash flooding that resulted in the tragic deaths of two women in New Jersey and prompted a state of emergency declaration. Governor Phil Murphy urged residents to stay indoors, as travel disruptions occurred with hundreds of flight cancellations and extensive subway delays. Neighborhoods, especially Plainfield, were heavily impacted, with reports of significant flooding and emergency rescues. The situation remains critical as more storms are predicted, raising concerns about continued flooding.
New York City and parts of New Jersey are reeling from the aftermath of severe flash flooding that occurred late Monday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of two women in New Jersey and prompting a state of emergency declaration by Governor Phil Murphy.
Governor Murphy’s declaration came as neighborhoods faced widespread flooding, particularly in Plainfield, where the fatalities occurred when their vehicle was swept into Cedar Brook. In response to the severe weather conditions, the governor urged residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. On Tuesday morning, he toured the affected areas to assess the damage and promised support for recovery efforts.
Travel disruptions were extensive, with over 100 flights canceled at major airports such as JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia, stranding passengers who were left scrambling for alternative accommodations. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported severe delays and suspended subway lines in New York City due to flooding, with numerous subway stations inundated and many train platforms overwhelmed with water.
The heavy rainfall led to record-breaking amounts in some regions; New York City experienced its second-highest hourly rainfall in over 80 years, with 2 inches falling within just 30 minutes. As the storm moved through, flash flood warnings were issued for areas of New York and Pennsylvania, and additional storms are forecasted, raising concerns of more flooding in New Jersey, New York, and nearby regions.
Damage and Community Impact
The flooding has had a profound impact on many communities. The Plainfield Area Humane Society was entirely destroyed, but all animals were successfully rescued and relocated to higher ground. In Scotch Plains, a local dentist reported five feet of water in his basement, highlighting the catastrophic effect of the flooding on numerous businesses and homes. Areas like North Plainfield saw significant flooding, where at least 30 water rescues were conducted in response to emergencies.
Major thoroughfares were not spared, with significant stretches of the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Cross Bronx Expressway temporarily closed due to high water levels. Many vehicles were left stranded, including an ambulance and a bus that required urgent rescue operations.
Health and Safety Concerns
Tragedy struck when an explosion occurred in North Plainfield, caused by a gas leak associated with the flooding. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as residents had evacuated beforehand. However, one man in Harlem was hospitalized with two broken legs after a tree branch fell on him due to the storm’s strong winds.
Emergency services have faced an overwhelming number of calls as residents sought assistance from flooded neighborhoods. The fire and rescue teams worked tirelessly to navigate the challenging conditions and ensure the safety of the residents. Reports of severe flooding also led libraries and schools to close as a precautionary measure.
Continued Risks
While some flash flood warnings were lifted, many roads remained inundated as of Tuesday morning, and Westchester County officials advised against unnecessary travel due to the rapidly rising water levels. The overall toll from the flooding continues to unfold, as both communities and emergency services grapple with the challenges posed by this weather event.
As recovery efforts begin, residents are left to assess the damage and consider the days ahead, with the potential for more storms threatening to compound the impact of this catastrophic flooding.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: Flood
- The Guardian
- Google Search: New York flash floods 2025
- CBS News
- Google Scholar: New York flood 2025
- BBC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- NBC News
- Google News: New Jersey floods July 2025
