Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 18
Northeast Flash Flood Warnings Spread After 2.5 Inches of Rain as Severe Storms Replace Wildfire Smoke
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 18

Northeast Flash Flood Warnings Spread After 2.5 Inches of Rain as Severe Storms Replace Wildfire Smoke

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 18

Summary

  • More than 2.5 inches of rain fell in parts of New York City and northern New Jersey on Saturday, triggering flash flood warnings and sending water into infrastructure including Penn Station.
  • The storms followed a return of unhealthy Canadian wildfire smoke, with shifting winds expected to clear the haze while fueling strong to severe thunderstorms across much of the Northeast.
  • The National Weather Service put much of the tri-state area under a level 3 of 5 severe risk, warning of numerous storms capable of torrential rain, damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes.
  • Texas was still dealing with separate flood fallout: at least two people have died, hundreds needed rescue, and rivers including the Devils River and Rio Grande were forecast to reach major flood levels this weekend.

Insights

Are our cities built to survive the new threat of sudden, intense 'rain bombs'?
From wildfire smoke to flash floods, is this extreme weather whiplash our new normal?
As 'disaster fatigue' sets in, how can communities escape the cycle of constant recovery?