Wildfire Smoke Gives Way to Storms: NYC Flooded

Wildfire smoke has settled back into New York City and surrounding areas, leading to unhealthy air quality. As winds shift, this smoke is expected to dissipate, but the changing conditions are also fueling a new threat: severe thunderstorms.

These storms have already brought torrential rain to northern New Jersey and New York City, prompting flash flood warnings. Social media videos showed water pouring into crucial infrastructure like Penn Station. Over 2.5 inches of rain have fallen in some areas, affecting neighborhoods across the city and its boroughs. Forecasters warn of potential damaging winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes.

Separately, Texas continues to grapple with the severe consequences of prolonged, destructive storms and record rainfall. While the intense rain has subsided in the Hill Country, major rivers are being closely monitored for significant surges. The Devils River and Rio Grande are forecast to reach major flood stages, threatening more areas and continuing rescue operations.

This extensive flooding has already claimed at least two lives and necessitated hundreds of rescues. Some regions received over two feet of rain in a single week, causing rivers to swell and inundating rural communities and highways. In areas like Ozona, Interstate 10 was overtopped, and RV parks were overwhelmed, highlighting the widespread impact.