New Jersey: Torrential rains have lashed parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, causing severe flash flooding across New York City and northern New Jersey. The intense downpour has triggered emergency alerts, forced evacuations, and led to widespread disruption throughout the affected areas.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency late Monday, urging residents via the social media platform X to "stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel" due to the flash flooding and high rainfall levels. Concurrently, the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for all five boroughs of New York City, as heavy storms dropped over an inch of rain in areas like Staten Island and Manhattan by Monday evening. Forecasts indicated continued rainfall through the night.

New York City authorities issued stern warnings to residents, particularly those in basement apartments, to prepare for sudden evacuations. New York City Emergency Management posted on X, advising alertness for flash flooding, which can occur with little warning, even overnight. Residents were told to keep essential items like a phone, torch, and "Go Bag" nearby and to be ready to move to higher ground.

Emergency data highlighted the severity of the rainfall, with Manhattan's Chelsea neighbourhood recording 1.47 inches and Staten Island seeing 1.67 inches by 7:30 p.m. Neighbouring New Jersey towns, including Plainfield and Metuchen, experienced some of the most significant impacts. Authorities in both New York and New Jersey maintained a heightened state of alert throughout the night, monitoring flood-prone regions and cautioning about potentially worsening conditions. More rainfall is anticipated across the cities, with emergency crews deployed to focus on public safety and rapid response in affected zones.

With inputs from IANS