Severe Flooding Threatens Over 30 Million people in the Northeast After Heavy Rainfall
A powerful storm system that brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the Southeast has moved northward, triggering flood alerts for more than 30 million people across 11 states from Virginia to Maine.
The National Weather Service issued a high risk of flash flooding for Vermont and parts of New York, where some areas received up to 10 inches of rain in a single day.
The torrential downpour caused widespread damage and disruption, submerging cars, inundating neighborhoods, and forcing evacuations and rescues.
In Vermont, the state capital of Montpelier experienced "significant to catastrophic flooding" as the Winooski River rose to major flood stage.
More than 50 people were rescued by swift-water teams in various towns, according to Vermont Emergency Management.In New York, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point recorded 6.96 inches of rain in three hours, a rare event that occurs once in a thousand years.
A woman in her 40s was swept away by rapid waters in Orange County as she tried to reach higher ground with her dog.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 14 counties and activated the National Guard to assist with the response.
The storm also affected other states in the Northeast, causing coastal flooding, power outages, and road closures. In Pennsylvania, Reading had its wettest July day on record with 5.35 inches of rain. In Connecticut, Hartford and other cities opened cooling centers to help residents cope with the heat and humidity.
In Massachusetts, Boston and other coastal areas were under a flood advisory as high tide coincided with the storm surge.
The storm is expected to weaken and move out of the region by Tuesday, but the flood threat remains high as rivers and streams continue to swell.
The National Weather Service urged residents to stay alert and follow local authorities' instructions. "Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or walkways. Turn around, don't drown," the agency warned.
