In a dramatic turn of events, slow-moving storms unleashed heavy rain across New York and New Jersey, with certain regions experiencing up to 5 inches of rainfall in just a few hours. This deluge led to flash flooding, wreaking havoc in various areas, particularly in and around New York City. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that Atlantic City Airport recorded a historical 3.07 inches of rain, marking the highest rainfall in a single day for the location. Regions around New York City saw varying totals, with most areas receiving between 1 to 3 inches, while parts of Queens, Nassau County, and Suffolk County were hit with more significant amounts, surpassing 3 inches and reaching up to 5 inches in simpler localized areas.
The storm rolled in on Thursday afternoon, overwhelming the city’s drainage systems and causing commuter disruption due to potential flash flooding. Reports indicate that the Bronx received 1.10 inches of rain, while several neighborhoods in Brooklyn reported the following totals: Prospect Park with 2.37 inches, Brooklyn College at 1.44 inches, and Dyker Heights receiving 1.37 inches. In Manhattan, Midtown had 1.47 inches, and Battery Park’s rainfall was recorded at 1.17 inches.
In Nassau County, the rain was particularly intense in areas like Great Neck, which saw 3.08 inches; Merrick with 2.33 inches; and Levittown at 2.17 inches. Further east in Suffolk County, Sayville faced severe rainfall totaling 4.54 inches, while Islip Airport registered 2.85 inches.
As the storms continued to develop, New Jersey faced its own share of rain, with Atlantic County seeing Atlantic City receive 3.07 inches and surrounding areas like Forsythe and Egg Harbor Township recording 2.19 and 2.18 inches, respectively. In Burlington County, the township of Browns Mills experienced an alarming 6.00 inches of rain, significantly higher than other regions.
Rainfall totals varied widely across New Jersey. In Cumberland County, Bridgeton received 3.41 inches; Caldwell in Essex County saw 3.20 inches; and Matawan in Monmouth County recorded 2.40 inches. The precipitation remained consistent across other regions, including Morris County, with Randolph accumulating 2.12 inches.
Reports of flash flooding quickly surfaced as the storm progressed, prompting the NWS to issue warnings for several affected areas. In Suffolk County, multiple regions experienced flooding. Near Shirley Airport, area roadways were submerged, causing traffic chaos as vehicles struggled to navigate the flooded streets. In Holbrook, numerous roads were closed due to significant flooding, while video footage from a nearby parking lot showed an SUV trapped in rising floodwaters.
The flooding extended into Nassau County as well, with video clips depicting cars submerged in feet of water at Levitown intersections. Russell Gardens witnessed streets engulfed by water, affecting nearby transit facilities. Brooklyn didn’t escape the deluge, as neighborhoods around Bay Ridge faced road flooding, hindering transportation and causing concern among residents.
Queens was also severely impacted, with Little Neck Parkway suffering closures as vehicles became stranded in floodwaters. Emergency responders reported road closures across various interstates, with major thoroughfares like I-295 blocked in several directions due to flooding. In Staten Island, flooding on I-278 caused significant disruptions as lanes were closed, leading to traffic jammed for hours.
In Orange County, NY, flooding on NY 211 rendered roads impassable, while Essex County faced lane closures on I-280, creating further confusion among commuters. Vehicles trapped in floodwaters were reported in Union County, with various streets around Summit and Westfield closed due to the storm’s aftermath.
The storm marks a significant weather event for the New York and New Jersey area, highlighting the vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure when faced with rapid heavy rainfall. The combination of slow-moving storm systems and saturated ground conditions resulted in severe and widespread flooding, leaving emergency services and water management crews to respond strategically to high-water rescues and road safety. As the aftermath of this weather system plays out, residents are left to contend with flooded streets, the possibility of further rain down the line, and the implications of a changing climate that increase the frequency of such storms.
While emergency services continue to assist, local agencies are issuing advisories and actively monitoring flood conditions across affected regions. Residents are urged to stay informed about weather updates and heed any warnings from local authorities. The road to recovery will be extensive as cities begin assessing the extent of the damages caused by these historically high rainfall totals. With communities now facing the repercussions of this weather event, the focus will turn to recovery efforts, support systems, and how to bolster infrastructure for potential similar events in the future.
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