Flooding Closes Roadways, Prompts Evacuations in New Jersey; Flights Delayed as Storms Roll Through Northeast

Carolyn Williams
Published: May 31,2015




 
After a bout of heavy flooding submerged much of the southern Plains, the East Coast experienced some flash flooding of its own as storms rolled through the region on Sunday.
Heavy flight delays were experienced in multiple northeastern Airports, including John F. Kennedy International, due to the severe weather, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
"Very moist air has arrived in the Northeast, helping fuel thunderstorms with torrential downpours. Despite below-average precipitation in much of the Northeast in recent months, these slow-moving storms are still able to cause flash flooding, especially in urbanized areas where there's a lot of pavement that can't absorb moisture anyway," said weather.com senior meteorologist Nick Wiltgen.
(FORECAST: Severe Thunderstorms, Flash Flooding Possible in the East on Sunday)
Here is the latest on flooding and additional damage on a state-by-state basis.

Connecticut

Several roadways in Berlin, Connecticut, were flooded Sunday, NBC Connecticut reported. However, there were no road closures. Thousands of power outages due to the severe weather were also reported earlier in the day.
The search for a missing swimmer in West Haven, Connecticut, was suspended Sunday night as severe weather pushed through the area, WFSB-TV reported.

Massachusetts

Thousands of residents were rendered powerless due to the severe weather Sunday afternoon, WCVB-TV reported. Floodwaters in Sudbury, Massachusetts, prompted a water rescue after a family's car became stuck in the high waters, the report added.

New Jersey

Evacuations and property damage were reported in Old Bridge, New Jersey, Sunday night, per the National Weather Service.
Exceptionally heavy rain inundated northern New Jersey Saturday afternoon and evening, leading to serious flash flooding. Residents were asked to stay indoors and avoid flooded areas, NJ.com reported.
The worst appeared to be in the area around Perth Amboy and Raritan Bay. A Weather Underground personal weather station in the Morgan district of Sayreville, New Jersey, recorded 5.64 inches of rain. Of that total, 4.95 inches fell in just 90 minutes.
According to reports relayed by the National Weather Service, 11 people were rescued from a flooded road in Newark, which also saw extremely heavy rainfall. Newark Liberty International Airport recorded 3.65 inches of rain in the 6-hour period ending at 7:51 p.m., making it the third-wettest May calendar day on record in New Jersey's largest city.
Multiple roadways were closed in New Jersey due to flooding, causing minor delays ranging from 10 to 20 minutes, the New Jersey Department of Transportation reported.

New York

A flash flood warning was issued for most of New York City late Sunday afternoon. At least one intersection in Annadale, Staten Island, was closed due to flooding according to National Weather Service local storm reports. A Weather Underground rain gauge in Annadale recorded 4.60 inches of rain; almost all of that came in a two-hour period between 5:38 and 7:38 p.m.

The Weather Underground personal weather station for Annadale, Staten Island, is seen here on the fence in the backyard of meteorology student Alex Calamia. The backyard pool overflowed after 4.60 inches of rain fell, most of it in just two hours Sunday evening. Photo Credit: Twitter/Alex Calamia

Over 3 inches of rain fell in Forest Park, Queens, in a little over two hours, according to another Weather Underground gauge.
The flash flood warning for the five boroughs was allowed to expire at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

Pennsylvania

Homes and businesses were inundated by floodwaters in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, according to local storm reports.
Thunderstorms impacted departures and arrivals at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday, according to the airport's Twitter.

Strong thunderstorm winds downed and snapped several trees and caused minor damage to a home in Aleppo, Pennsylvania.
A mudslide was reported in the borough of Fallston, Pennsylvania, Sunday evening according to local police reports relayed by the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Debris was reportedly blocking a part of State Route 51 in the area.
Two vehicles sustained damage when they were flipped on their sides by strong thunderstorm winds in Mercer, Pennsylvania, the NWS reported. A gas station sustained damage, as well, when part of its canopy was torn off.

Rhode Island

Cars were stranded in floodwaters in Providence, Rhode Island, according to the National Weather Service.
There were several reports of flooding in Rhode Island, including areas in Smithfield, Pawtucket and East Providence.
MORE: Severe Flooding Slams the Southern Plains - May 2015