Home / Weather / Millions Under Flood Alerts as Storms Batter Northeast
Millions Under Flood Alerts as Storms Batter Northeast
13 Sep
Summary
- 51 weather shelters opened in New York City for vulnerable residents.
- Federal forecasters issued flood alerts for 39 million people.
- Northeast US bracing for 5 to 7 inches of rain, risking flash floods.
Millions across the Northeast are under flood alerts as a potent storm system moved through the region. Federal forecasters issued warnings for approximately 39 million individuals from late Saturday into Sunday.
New York City took proactive measures, opening 51 weather shelters to safeguard residents, especially those in basement or below-grade apartments, who are most vulnerable to rising floodwaters. The city's Emergency Management issued specific warnings about potential flash flooding.
The National Weather Service placed multiple states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, under flood watches. Philadelphia and its surrounding counties experienced these watches through Sunday morning.
Forecasters predicted rainfall totals of 5 to 7 inches for Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York, and southern Connecticut. A slight shift in the storm's track could bring similar totals and heightened flash flood risks to eastern Brooklyn and Queens, prompting urgent advice for vulnerable residents to move to higher ground.
The thunderstorms are fueled by a clash between a cold air trough and warmer air masses, creating conditions ripe for excessive rainfall and severe weather events across the affected areas.
