Historic Rainfall Triggers Flash Floods, State of Emergency in NY & NJ

Flash floods turned streets into rivers in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, leaving a motorist stranded. Rescuers battled waist-deep waters to reach the trapped driver.

Historic Rainfall Triggers Flash Floods, State of Emergency in NY & NJ

By Thenationweek.com  

July 16, 2025

NEW JERSY – A deluge transformed streets into rivers across New York and New Jersey Monday night, crippling transportation, stranding motorists, and prompting emergency declarations.

The sudden severe flood tested infrastructure and emergency response capabilities in the two states, leaving communities scrambling to cope with its aftermath.

Flash flood warnings blanketed swaths of the Northeast, including parts of Pennsylvania, as the storm system dumped inches of rain in a matter of hours.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy swiftly declared a state of emergency, urging residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

Harrowing videos circulating on social media depicted the severity of the situation, including buses marooned on flooded roadways in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

The downpour also triggered significant delays and disruptions across New Jersey’s bus and train networks.

New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority faced a similar crisis, suspending some subway lines and reporting major delays across the system.

The city’s emergency management agency took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn of widespread flash floods, impacting not only the five boroughs but also the mid-Hudson region.

One particularly striking video showed water cascading into a Manhattan subway station, completely submerging the platform as stunned passengers watched from inside a train.

Other images showed commuters forced to stand on train seats to escape rising floodwaters.

Beyond the city, major arteries like the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Cross Bronx Expressway were temporarily shut down due to flooding and fallen trees, further exacerbating travel woes.

In Westchester County, rescue teams were deployed to extract motorists trapped in their vehicles by the rapidly rising waters.

“We are urging residents to avoid all non-essential travel and prioritize evacuation from flooded areas,” announced Carolyn Fortino, spokesperson for the county executive.

Staten Island bore the brunt of the storm, with the city’s emergency notification system reporting rainfall totals of four to six inches.

The flood extended beyond the immediate New York metropolitan area.

In Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, a disaster emergency was declared after a staggering seven inches of rain fell within five hours.

Some homes were reportedly inundated with over five feet of water, requiring emergency responders to conduct 16 water rescues. No injuries were reported.

“This declaration enables us to access vital resources to support our residents and expedite the recovery process,” explained Borough Emergency Management Coordinator Philip Colvin.

By Monday evening, the rainfall subsided, and water levels in Mount Joy began to recede.

In Metuchen, New Jersey, located about 34 miles southwest of New York City, Mayor Jonathan Busch reported significant flooding on Facebook.

“It seems that the worst of the storm is behind us, and thankfully, everyone is safe,” he told residents.

While the immediate threat has diminished, the cleanup and assessment of the damage caused by the historic rainfall are just beginning in most states in the Northeast.