Torrential downpours in the U.S. Northeast have caused flash floods, leading to road washouts, overwhelmed rivers, and a tragic loss of life. Officials report that a woman was swept away in front of her fiancé, highlighting the dangerous conditions brought about by the severe weather. The floods have prompted 50 swift boat rescues and left millions of Americans under flood watches and warnings from Eastern New York state to Boston and Western Maine.
The National Weather Service issued flood alerts, with more than 13 million people potentially affected by the deluge. The storms, which began over the weekend, caused rivers and streams to overflow, resulting in extensive damage. Private forecaster AccuWeather estimates the preliminary damages and economic losses to range between $3 billion and $5 billion.
Transportation has been severely impacted, with over 1,000 flight cancellations and delays affecting airports in the region, including New York’s LaGuardia and Boston’s Logan. Train services have also been disrupted, as both Amtrak and the Metro-North commuter railroad suspended operations due to flooding and track damage.
Vermont and New York have been hit hardest by the floods. Vermont officials are calling it the worst flooding since Hurricane Irene in 2011. Streets have turned into raging rivers, with some areas already receiving between 7 and 8 inches of rain. In Vermont alone, swift boat crews have rescued around 50 isolated individuals, and more rescue operations are underway. The state capital, Montpelier, is at risk as rivers are expected to continue flooding overnight.
In New York, Stormville, a small town northeast of New York City, experienced over 8 inches of rainfall from Sunday to Monday. Tragically, an Orange County woman lost her life while attempting to evacuate her home with her dog. Her fiancé witnessed the devastating event, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by residents.
Video footage and images shared on social media depict washed-out roadways and houses engulfed by floodwaters. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, and authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and seek higher ground if necessary.
The severe weather and flash floods have disrupted daily life and caused significant property damage. Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of affected individuals and mitigate further risks. The focus now remains on providing assistance, assessing the full extent of the damage, and initiating recovery efforts in the affected regions.
This article was reported by Brendan O’Brien in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta, and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California, and edited by David Gregorio and Stephen Coates.
Sources By Agencies
