Rescuers in Maryland rush to keep community safe
In Maryland, emergency responders rescued multiple people from flooded vehicles.
In Joppatowne, submerged vehicles could be seen on a highway in video shared online by the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, which worked to bring drivers to safety.
There are cars stuck in water in Potomac, according to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer, who shared about the rescues on social media and urged drivers to be careful.
Officials in Maryland also preemptively closed roads prone to flooding, shuttered schools and libraries early and opened emergency shelters as more thunderstorms were expected across the state this evening.
Ground stops issued at Baltimore and D.C. airports
Thunderstorms are causing major disruptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). The FAA has issued ground stops at both airports until at least 6 p.m. ET.
Before operations were grounded, DCA was reporting average delays of more than four hours for incoming flights and nearly two hours for departing flights. Meanwhile, at BWI, departures were delayed more than an hour, on average, before the ground stop.
A wet and messy commute in Montclair, N.J.
Despite heavy rain and storm conditions, there appeared to be plenty of drivers taking to the waterlogged roads in Montclair, N.J., this afternoon.
Flyers dealing with weather delays
Passengers trying to fly out of New York City’s three largest area airports — Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport — are facing delays of more than an hour thanks to thunderstorms that are sweeping through the region.
Those flying out of Newark are, on average, delayed 1 hour, 45 minutes, to 1 hour, 59 minutes, and delay times are decreasing.
As it stands, delays at JFK are a bit shorter — on average, 1 hour, 16 minutes, to 1 hour, 30 minutes — but wait times are going up due to the weather. Delay times are similar at LaGuardia.
Those flying into the NYC area might have it worse, as all inbound flights are being held until weather improves. Those flights have been delayed at their origin anywhere from 2 hours, 30 minutes, to 3 hours, 38 minutes, on average.
Inbound flights to LaGuardia will resume at 4:45 p.m. and to Newark at 5 p.m.
Northbound FDR shutdown in New York
A large section of Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive, one of the major thoroughfares in New York City, was shut down ahead of the evening commute.
Northbound lanes of the FDR, which runs along the eastern edge of Manhattan, had to be closed at Houston Street due to “a flooding condition,” the NYPD said just before 4 p.m.
Maryland and D.C. area also being pounded by rain
Up to 4 inches of rain have already fallen over parts of Maryland and Washington, D.C., with heavy rain expected to continue, according to the National Weather Service.
“Monitor low areas & drainages for rapid rises. Seek high ground if needed,” the agency wrote on X. Several communities northeast of Baltimore reported flooding earlier this afternoon, according to the NWS, including in Perry Hall, Honeygo, Joppatowne, Kingsville and Edgewood.
Severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings remain in place across much of the state through this evening. Wind gusts up to 70 mph are also expected in some areas.
New York subway stations under threat of flooding
Heavy rains could easily flood New York City subway stations, and riders are being asked to travel with care.
The sewers that serve the nation’s busiest mass transit service are built to handle no more than 1.75 inches of water per hour.
It was just two weeks ago when wild scenes illustrated how fast subway tunnels and platforms can fill with water.
NWS issues flood warnings for much of New York City
The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for much of New York City, telling residents of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island to be careful on the way home this evening.
Until at least 6:15 p.m., New York City can expect heavy rain, 1 to 3 inches, that could cause flooding of highways, streets, underpasses and low-lying spots with poor drainage.
More specifically, the NWS told anyone in a basement to move to higher ground and urged drivers to steer clear of areas where water has covered the roadway.
Battening down the hatches in southeast Pennsylvania
Residents of southeast Pennsylvania and their New Jersey and Delaware neighbors braced for storms that could be bring flooding and even isolated tornadoes.
“Flash floods and thunderstorms are expected to impact our region this afternoon into tonight,” according to power supplier PECO, warning local residents to never drive through flooded roads and to avoid downed trees and power lines.
Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to declare a state of emergency for much of metropolitan New York City, with heavy rains and flash floods expected to drench the region this afternoon and Friday morning.
New York, Bronx, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties are expected to be a part of this emergency declaration.
“I am urging all New Yorkers to stay vigilant, stay informed, and use caution as we expect excessive rainfall with the potential for flash flooding,” Hochul said in a statement.
“State agencies are on standby for heavy downpours and localized flooding and will be monitoring the situation in real-time to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers in the path of the storm.”
No rays of sunshine at Yankee Stadium
It’s the bottom of the fifth with the Bronx Bombers up 7-4 on the Tampa Bay Rays and the Yankee Stadium tarp taking center stage right now.
It’s hard to imagine how this game could continue.
Though with the home team up and visitors having had five turns to hit, the game would be official.
About 48 million people under flash flood alerts
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Massive swaths of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic braced for torrential downpours, strong winds and flash foods going into rush hour and throughout the night.
About 48 million reside in areas under flood warnings, with some parts of the region set to endure up to 1 to 3 inches of rain per hour.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 p.m. from northern Virginia to New York City, with scattered high, damaging winds up to 65 mph and hail that could be more than an inch in diameter.
