The Northeast region of the United States was hit hard by torrential rain on Monday night, resulting in significant flooding across various areas of New York and New Jersey. This deluge led to the suspension of highways, disrupted subway service, and prompted New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy to declare a state of emergency.
Communities faced rapidly rising waters and severe travel disruptions, with flash flood alerts and watches extending from Virginia to Pennsylvania. Dramatic footage shared on social media depicted buses stranded in rising water in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and floodwaters encroaching on subway stations in Manhattan.
Flood Watch in Effect for New York and New Jersey
According to the National Weather Service, flood concerns remain critical in southeast New York, particularly Staten Island, which recorded between 4 and 6 inches of rain overnight. This situation has also affected northeast New Jersey and eastern and central Pennsylvania.
New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy stated, “I have declared a State of Emergency out of an abundance of caution due to flash flooding and severe thunderstorms across the state. I urge New Jerseyans to exercise caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
Public Transport Disruptions and Safety Advisories
As floodwaters inundated underground stations, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority warned of major delays on several subway lines while suspending others. Meanwhile, rescue workers in Westchester County, New York, have been wading through flooded roadways to assist stranded drivers.
“At this time, residents are still strongly advised to avoid all travel unless fleeing an area that is subject to flooding or under an evacuation order,” noted Carolyn Fortino, spokesperson for the Westchester County executive, in an email to The Associated Press late Monday.
Stay Informed: New York and New Jersey Flooding Updates
Wind Warning 15/07 issued 08:27 UTC Tuesday 15 July 2025. pic.twitter.com/qIsX3G2tS0
— CI Weather Warnings (@Jersey_MetCI) July 15, 2025
Helping fuel the flooding in New York and New Jersey – extremely warm ocean water temperatures. The current warmth is 10X more likely because of #climatechange. #newjerseyflooding pic.twitter.com/kpLqK204ZP
— Chris Gloninger, CCM, CBM (@ChrisGloninger) July 15, 2025
For the latest updates on the flooding situation, including a live tracker map for extreme weather warnings, stay connected with local news sources and heed official advisories. Your safety is the priority as recovery efforts continue.
