Flash Floods Kill 2, Disrupt Transit New York, New Jersey

Severe storms and torrential rains caused flash flooding across New Jersey and the New York City area, resulting in at least two deaths after a vehicle was swept away in Plainfield, New Jersey. New York City experienced over 2 inches of rain within an hour, marking the second-highest hourly rainfall on record, which overwhelmed the city's outdated sewer system and inundated subway stations, leading to widespread transit delays and road closures. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency and warned residents to avoid travel unless necessary, noting that crews were still clearing debris and making emergency repairs. Emergency responders conducted numerous water rescues amid the flooding, which affected multiple counties and led to over 1,200 emergency calls within a two-hour window during the storm's peak. The flooding was attributed to a slow-moving cold front combined with record-high atmospheric moisture, and officials cautioned that additional rain could cause further flooding due to already saturated grounds. This event follows earlier deadly floods in the region earlier in July, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities to extreme weather linked to climate change.