Deadly storms batter the Northeast and cause severe flash flooding, submerging cars and prompting water rescues

Severe thunderstorms and showers across the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast triggered deadly flash flooding in the tristate area where roads were turned into rivers, cars were submerged in fast-rising waters, and water rescues unfolded on Long Island and in Connecticut.

New York, Connecticut and New Jersey were pounded by heavy rain overnight. Two locations — parts of Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut, and Suffolk County, New York —experienced historic rainfall, reaching the threshold of 1,000-year rainfall event.

Approximately 10 inches of rain fell in 12 hours around Oxford and Southbury, Connecticut; meanwhile Suffolk County, New York, clocked an estimated 7 inches in three hours near Stony Brook.

In Long Island, a flash flood emergency was declared Sunday evening for Suffolk County, and expired early Monday. The National Weather Service office in New York reported that about 4 to 6 inches of rain had fallen by late Sunday at an expected rate of 2 to 3 inches an hour.

Multiple water rescues were taking place Sunday night in parts of Nesconset, Ronkonkoma, Smithtown and St. James, the weather office said.

Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine said Monday morning he will sign an order declaring a state of emergency after surveying storm damage. 

Meanwhile in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont on Sunday called the deluge a “historic storm in some areas” of the state, noting urban search and rescue teams helped evacuate at least 100 people.

A few apparent weather-related deaths have been reported as well.

In Oxford, one person was found dead and another was missing after they were swept away in flooding on Route 67 on Sunday, NBC New York reported, citing town officials. The search for the second person is ongoing. In Henrico County, Virginia, a man was found dead Sunday afternoon after large tree fell on top of his vehicle, the Henrico County Police Division said. 

In Danbury, Connecticut, video showed cars submerged in knee-deep flooding.

Multiple buildings in Danbury were evacuated Sunday after city officials described a “mudslide situation” triggered by flooding. Emergency crews also evacuated 100 people from a housing complex for older people, and fire officials said at least 20 were rescued from flooded cars, the Danbury Fire Department said. 

In New York City, video on social media showed water pouring down from the ceiling of the popular tourist destination Chelsea Market. 

The deluge has also impacted transit. The Metro-North Railroad suspended the Waterbury Branch service in both directions early Monday because of a mudslide near Seymour from Sunday’s rains. Amtrak also temporarily suspended rail traffic Sunday night between New York and Philadelphia because of flooding conditions.

Ground stops were issued at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and departures were grounded at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because of the thunderstorms Sunday night.

The intense Northeast rain is not connected to Hurricane Ernesto, but a slow-moving summer cold front producing thunderstorms.

Even more rain is on the way with more thunderstorms forecast across the Northeast and New England on Monday afternoon and evening.