New York and New Jersey both issued a state of emergency on Monday ahead of a nor’easter that descended on the region Tuesday morning.
“I am proactively declaring a State of Emergency to ensure we can provide the necessary resources to respond to this storm and protect lives and property in regions where the forecast is calling for significant rainfall,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in a release on Monday
“I am encouraging New Yorkers to prepare now for inclement weather expected over the coming days and urging commuters to take precaution ahead of heavy rainfall expected tomorrow morning,” she added.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) also declared a state of emergency in all 21 counties of the state.
“The anticipated Nor’easter storm is forecasted to bring significant flash flooding, coastal flooding, and wind gusts across New Jersey,” Murphy said. “Residents should stay off the roads, remain vigilant, and follow all safety protocols.”
According to Hochul’s offices, the region could see more than four inches of rain and several areas could experience more than an inch of rain per hour, creating a flash flooding risk.
In New Jersey, flash flood warnings have been issued for Newark, Jersey City and Paterson until 10:30 a.m. According to the National Weather Service, strong winds along the coastal region of the area should be expected into Wednesday with moderate coastal flooding possible during high tide on Tuesday.
The New York Times reported that storm drain in midtown Manhattan were struggling to keep up with the heavy rains Tuesday morning, creating large puddles on the streets.
New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said on Tuesday that buses were experiencing scattered delays though subways and suburban commuter rails were operating as expected.
Officials in New York City have advised people living in basement apartments to be prepared “to move to a higher floor during periods of heavy rain.”