New York City and New Jersey are under states of emergencies as torrential rain pounds the Northeast on Thursday afternoon.
A level 3 out of 4 threat for flash flooding is in effect in New York City, parts of Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, southwest Connecticut, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. A severe thunderstorm watch has also been issued.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul told ABC News' New York station WABC that the worst weather was in Queens, where storms dumped five inches of rain.
Several vehicles became submerged in floodwaters, causing swift water rescue teams to respond.
The state had already pre-positioned emergency vehicles, power generators and other resources ahead of the storm, helping crews respond quickly. A state of emergency was declared in 14 counties, and the state’s operations center was fully activated, according to Hochul.
The heavy rain has closed sections of major New York City roads, including the Long Island Expressway, Cross Island Parkway, FDR Drive and the Clearview Expressway. Some service on the Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit have been suspended.
New Jersey Acting Governor Tahesha Way said Thursday that flooding has been reported across several major highways, including a left lane closure on I-80 in Denville, flooding on US-130 South at NJ-70 and a right lane closure on I-78 East near Exit 29 in Bridgewater.
On US-9 North near Edison, three of four lanes are closed due to water on the roadway.
Parts of the state, including Plainfield, are still recovering from recent deadly storms and are now facing additional damage, according to the governor, who said saturated ground is worsening the impact of flooding.
MORE: 3 life-saving tactics to use if in a car during a flash flood
Some of the heaviest rain may have fallen during the late afternoon rush hour, but the heavy rain could continue well into the evening.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, the suburbs of Washington, D.C., officials reported "considerable flooding" and some water rescues.
There were at least four rescues reported in the Bethesda and Potomac areas, according to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service.
More than 1,400 flights have been canceled in the U.S. on Thursday, with New York City's airports and D.C.'s Reagan National Airport seeing the biggest impacts.
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