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Two dead after flash flooding in New Jersey and New York City

July 15, 2025

Torrential rains caused devastating flash floods across New York and New Jersey on Monday night, killing two people in Plainfield, New Jersey when their car was swept away by floodwaters. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as emergency responders conducted rescues of stranded motorists, with some areas receiving over 6 inches of rain in just hours. The deluge disrupted transportation infrastructure, closing main roads, causing subway delays in both states, and creating flight disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Who is affected

  • Residents of New York, New Jersey, and Virginia
  • Two people who died in Plainfield, New Jersey
  • Stranded drivers requiring rescue
  • Subway passengers in New York City
  • Air travelers using Newark Liberty International Airport
  • People in Colonial Heights and Petersburg, Virginia at risk of "catastrophic" flood damage

What action is being taken

  • New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency
  • Officials are performing rescues of stranded drivers
  • Emergency responders are using ropes to pull people from flooded vehicles
  • The National Weather Service is issuing warnings and forecasts about the storms
  • Authorities are implementing road closures that people are being encouraged to heed

Why it matters

  • The floods have resulted in two fatalities
  • Major transportation infrastructure is disrupted with road closures and subway delays
  • The extreme rainfall represents historic precipitation levels with New York City experiencing its second-highest hourly rainfall in over 80 years
  • This flooding occurs just two weeks after deadly flash floods in Texas killed over 130 people
  • Additional storms are forecasted that could cause more flooding across the northeast, Florida, and midwestern US

What's next

  • Additional storms are expected on Tuesday with potential for more flooding in the northeast, Florida, and midwestern US
  • The heaviest rainfall is moving east and weakening in intensity according to the National Weather Service

Read full article from source: BBC

Two dead after flash flooding in New Jersey and New York City