Heavy Flooding Disrupts New York, New Jersey, Emergency Declared

Severe flooding struck the New York and New Jersey regions after torrential rains caused by a stationary storm system, with some areas receiving up to 150 millimeters of rain locally. The flooding led to major disruptions in transportation, including the temporary suspension of flights at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, as well as significant interruptions to the New York Metro system and flooded roadways such as the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers. Emergency services in New Jersey responded to numerous rescue operations for motorists and residents trapped by floodwaters, and the governor declared states of emergency in several counties. In New York, ongoing cleanup efforts are underway with crews working to clear storm drains and pump out water to reopen affected roadways. The flooding also caused fatalities in North Plainfield, New Jersey, where video showed shipping containers floating down submerged streets. The National Weather Service has issued flood alerts for the affected regions, noting that soil saturation and overwhelmed drainage systems contributed to the severity of the flooding.