Flash flooding impacted the Northeast region of the United States over the weekend as heavy rain dumped enough precipitation to submerge different areas.
With this, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash flood warnings across the region, including southeast New York, while describing the situation as "life-threatening," according to reports.
By the start of the week, the NWS issued a Northeast weather update that the flash flooding threat will continue Tuesday, July 11. This means torrential rain could persist in the Northeast and its surrounding areas across the East Coast. Disruption to ground and air travel, as well as a series of power outages, are possible in the coming hours and days.
The U.S. is currently over two months since its hurricane and the summer season started on June 1. While high temperatures have been recorded in some parts of the country, including the southern half, severe thunderstorms have gripped the country. In recent weeks, flight disruptions have been reported from coast to coast.
Northeast Weather Update
On Monday, July 10, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) of the NWS stated heavy rain is likely to cause significant flash flooding throughout New England, as the deadly, excessive rainfall could persist until Tuesday. The short-range forecast shows the state of Vermont will experience the highest risk, with expected impacts on transit routes, amid the looming adverse weather.
Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms with heavy rain are also possible in areas from the Central Plains to the Midwest, according to the weather service. In addition, the U.S. weather agency adds excessive heat will continue in southern Florida and parts of the Southwest U.S. and Southern High Plains.
Before Tuesday, "intense rainfall rates" are anticipated to persist in Vermont and northeastern New York on Monday, wherein more than 9 million people are under flood alerts across the region, CNN reported. So far, at least one person has died after involving a woman who was swept away by strong-moving floodwaters.
Northeast Flash Flooding Threat
Amongst all other weather hazards, the Northeast is vulnerable from heavy precipitation, mainly due to its proximity with the Atlantic Ocean and its position in the Northern Hemisphere.
Flash flooding has been reported in areas like Norfolk, Connecticut, and Reading, Pennsylvania, where road traffic movement came into a standstill as raging floodwaters submerged major highways, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Even meteorologists from AccuWeather placed Northeast under alert for "serious flash flood risk" as excessive rainfall may occur into Monday night, including in areas struck by flooding and landslides over the past week.
The exceptionally wet weather is caused by a slow-moving weather system that absorbs and releases moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, according to AccuWeather. The system is moving in a north-northeast direction, which can bring flooding rainfall across the western and central parts of New England, as well as in northeastern New York.
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