TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Strong storms with the potential to cause dangerous flash flooding on Thursday sparked multiple alerts by the National Weather Service from northern Virginia to Connecticut.
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for the state in advance of the storms.
“Flash flooding is possible with fast-moving thunderstorms, especially with already saturated ground. Please take all necessary precautions,” Way wrote in a post on X.
Forecasters said the strongest storms were expected later Thursday afternoon and night. The National Weather Service said heavy to excessive rainfall and potentially severe thunderstorms were expected along the Washington-Philadelphia-New York City corridor. Some areas in the southern part of the corridor could see rainfall rates of 2 inches (5 centimeters) per hour, the service said.
The weather service issued flash flood warnings early Thursday afternoon for parts of Berks, Lancaster and York counties in Pennsylvania and parts of Baltimore and Hartford counties in northern Maryland, meaning heavy rain was falling. The service said flooding was possible in small creeks and streams and urban areas, along with highways, streets, underpasses and poor-drainage and low-lying areas.
Flood watches and severe thunderstorm watches were in effect in the region until late Thursday and Friday, with 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain possible in some areas. The weather service posted a severe thunderstorm warning for an area of eastern Pennsylvania between Allentown and Reading, saying 60 mph (97 kph) wind gusts and penny-size hail were possible.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on social media that state emergency management officials were preparing potential response and recovery efforts.
New York City officials warned that heavy rain could flood some streets, parts of the subway and basements. They urged people living in basements to move to higher floors and issued an advisory asking New Yorkers to avoid travel from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
