NEW YORK (BN24) — Torrential rain swept across the Northeast on Monday, killing at least two people in New Jersey and triggering widespread flooding that shut down subway lines, closed highways, and prompted states of emergency.
The deaths occurred in Plainfield, New Jersey, where authorities said a vehicle carrying two people was swept into Cedar Brook during flash flooding. Local officials confirmed the fatalities in a statement posted on Facebook.
The powerful storm inundated streets across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania late Monday, stranding vehicles and leaving neighborhoods underwater. By early Tuesday, most flash flood warnings had expired, but numerous roads remained impassable.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as the rainfall intensified, urging residents to stay off the roads. Footage shared by CBS showed floodwaters overtaking a major roadway in Scotch Plains, trapping buses and other vehicles.
In North Plainfield, a house caught fire and collapsed soon after the family inside managed to evacuate. Officials believe an explosion may have sparked the blaze. No injuries were reported.
The storm caused major disruptions to New York City’s subway system. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority temporarily suspended service on several lines, while others faced extensive delays. Videos posted online showed water pouring into a Manhattan subway station, flooding the platform. Another image captured passengers standing on seats to avoid rising water inside a train car.
Flooding also closed sections of the Cross Bronx Expressway and Saw Mill River Parkway, and toppled at least one tree in the Bronx.
Emergency teams in Westchester County worked through the night to rescue drivers trapped in submerged vehicles, county spokesperson Carolyn Fortino said. “Residents are still strongly advised to avoid all travel unless fleeing an area that is subject to flooding or under an evacuation order,” she added.
Staten Island recorded between 4 and 6 inches of rain, prompting a flood warning, while parts of southeastern Pennsylvania saw even more extreme totals. Officials in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, declared a disaster emergency after more than 7 inches of rain fell in less than five hours, filling some homes with up to five feet of water. Emergency responders conducted at least 16 water rescues.
“The declaration enables us to access additional resources to support residents and accelerate recovery efforts,” Mount Joy’s emergency management coordinator Philip Colvin said. By Monday evening, water levels had begun to recede.
In Metuchen, New Jersey—about 34 miles southwest of Manhattan—Mayor Jonathan Busch said flooding was significant but had eased by nightfall. “It looks like the worst of the storm is behind us and thankfully, everyone is safe,” Busch wrote on Facebook.
