WeatherFanatics: New England Flood Threat Persists Into Early Thursday

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

New England Flood Threat Persists Into Early Thursday

By Jordan Root, Meteorologist

August 13,2014; 7:59PM,EDT

Travel delays, cancellations and flash flooding will be a common theme across New England into early Thursday morning as a potent system continues across the region.
This storm system is the same one that caused Islip on Long Island to shatter New York state's 24-hour rainfall record.
While drier weather has returned to Long Island, heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms will continue to push northward across New England through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.
"Flash flooding will be the biggest threat with these showers and storms," said AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist Phil Warren.
In addition to the historic flooding on Long Island, there have been numerous flash flooding reports across southern and central New England on Wednesday.
Providence, Rhode Island, and Springfield, Massachusetts, were just two of the many communities where flooding closed and made roads impassable.

Through Wednesday night, cities at risk for heavy rain and flooding include Burlington, Vermont; Concord and Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Portland, Maine; and Quebec City, Quebec.
"Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches will be common across many locations," added Warren. "Higher amounts of up to 4 inches will not be out of the question either for some areas."
With abundant moisture to tap into, these storms will likely bring torrential downpours. Rainfall rates could approach 1 to 2 inches per hour in some of the heaviest storms.

With these kind of rainfall rates, some roads could turn into rivers or lakes and motorists could be faced with delays.
Those caught out in a blinding downpour are urged to reduce speed, turn on their headlights, and to turn around or find an alternative route if high water lies ahead.
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Those living in Quebec City, Bangor or anywhere in between will likely see the heaviest rain arrive on Wednesday night. On Thursday, the steadiest rain will center on northern Maine.
Umbrellas and rain jackets will certainly be needed for anybody heading outside.
This potent area of low pressure has had a history of producing flash flooding. Detroit was hit with heavy rain on Monday, setting a new record for the wettest day in August. Several major roadways, including I-94, were shut down due to several feet of standing water.

Heaviest Daily Rainfall Totals Monday & Tuesday

Location	Rainfall (inches)
Millville, New Jersey	8.94
Baltimore, Maryland (BWI)	6.31
Atlantic City, New Jersey	5.51
Baltimore, Maryland (Downtown)	5.43
Detroit, Michigan (Metro.)	4.57
Detroit, Michigan (City)	4.38

Baltimore, Maryland, and Millville, New Jersey, were drenched with some of the heaviest rain on Tuesday. Millville recorded nearly 9 inches of rain while rain gauges in Baltimore read just over 6 inches. The outer loop of I-695 was closed due to high water.

Molly Manley took this picture of I-94, one of the many flooded roadways around Detroit on Monday night. "I-94 looks like a canal, not a highway," said Molly.
A sinkhole opened up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, swallowing a car and a woman inside. She was able to escape without injury. Several wind and hail reports were observed near the city as well.

Unseasonably cool air will filter in behind the area of low pressure for the end of the week. Interior portions of the Northeast may be dampened with a shower while coastal locations will turn dry with some sunshine.
The cool weather will likely not last. AccuWeather.com meteorologists are predicting a warm-up in the next week or two.

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