Storms sweep across Northeast US, bringing flooding and tornado warnings

Power outages spread across the region

Flash flood emergencies were declared in parts of Delaware, including the Dover area, where the storm dumped several inches of rain in a short period. Streets in low-lying neighborhoods turned into fast-moving streams, and rescue teams used boats to evacuate residents from flooded homes.

In New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported significant delays on the Long Island Expressway and several subway lines after floodwaters pooled on roadways and into underground stations. Airports in the region also reported ground stops, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled during the peak of the storm.

Travel disrupted on roads, rails and in the air

Local officials urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and to remain indoors as wind gusts exceeded 60 miles per hour in some areas. Emergency shelters were opened in several counties for residents displaced by flooding or left without power.

The storm developed from a system that had earlier produced severe weather across the mid-Atlantic, where it intensified as it tracked north and east. Forecasters said the Atlantic coast would continue to feel its effects through Friday, with coastal flooding a particular concern at high tide.

Storm expected to weaken overnight

No fatalities had been confirmed by late Thursday, though emergency responders said they were still assessing damage in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Officials in Delaware and New Jersey said they expected the casualty toll to remain low thanks to advance warning.

The storm arrives at a moment of heightened attention on extreme weather in the Northeast, as federal agencies and local governments have expanded investments in forecasting and grid resilience. Researchers have linked the increasing frequency of intense rainfall events in the region to a warming climate.