Officials declare state of emergency in New York and New Jersey
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in New York City late Wednesday night as heavy rains pummeled the city with flash flooding.
“We’re enduring an historic weather event tonight with record breaking rain across the city, brutal flooding and dangerous conditions on our roads,” he said in a tweet. “If you’re thinking of going outside, don’t. Stay off the subways. Stay off the roads. Don’t drive into these heavy waters.”
He also said that 5,300 homes had lost power.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also declared a state of emergency, advising people to “please stay off the roads and avoid all unnecessary travel.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also declared a state of emergency due to widespread flooding and storm damage throughout the state.
Trenton, New Jersey, has also designated a wide swath of the city an evacuation zone and has urged citizens to leave and find shelter elsewhere by 8am Thursday.