Severe flooding triggered by slow moving storms swept across parts of the northeastern United States, leaving at least one child dead, prompting dozens of water rescues and forcing widespread road closures after torrential rain inundated communities from New Jersey to eastern New York.
According to CNN, a 10 year old boy died after being swept away by the swollen Passaic River in New Jersey, while emergency crews continued searching for a missing 10 year old girl. An 11 year old girl managed to escape the fast moving water, local officials said.
In New York, authorities declared states of emergency in several eastern counties as rainfall totals exceeded seven inches in many locations, with some communities receiving nearly 12 inches of rain. Swiftwater rescue teams were deployed to assist stranded residents, and multiple rescues were carried out by boat and heavy equipment.
The storm also caused significant travel disruption. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed at airports serving New York City and Boston, while Amtrak suspended rail services between New York City and Albany because of flooding and debris covering sections of the railway.
Officials said the heavy rainfall produced record breaking totals in some areas. Albany International Airport recorded its wettest two day rainfall event on record, while emergency responders worked through the night to evacuate residents trapped by rising floodwaters and pump water from flooded homes.
Although the storm weakened overnight, forecasters warned that additional scattered showers could still trigger localized flooding across parts of New England. Authorities urged residents living near rivers and low-lying areas to remain vigilant as waterways remain dangerously swollen.
Emergency management officials said damage assessments are continuing, with flooded homes, stranded vehicles and washed out roads reported across the affected region.
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