Flash Flooding Threat In Parts Of Northeast Could Rival Rainfall Produced By Hurricane Irene In 2011

The National Weather Service issued Flood Watches to more than 40,000,000 residents in the Northeast, warning that the threat may rival Hurricane Irene of 2011
On Sunday, the NWS declared a rare Flash Flood Emergency in towns near West Point in New York.

Doppler radar estimates show that around half a ft of rain fell in Orange County, New York over a short period of time, causing flash flooding.

Amtrak suspended its service between Albany and New York City due to severe weather. It did not state when it planned to resume operation in the affected parts of the Northeast Corridor.

Some communities in the Hudson Valley have seen up to a foot of rain.

Flood Watch is in effect for most major cities along Interstate 95, including Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Hartford.

NOAA has placed upstate New York, Vermont and parts of New Hampshire under extreme flash flood risk. NWS meteorologists have warned that some of the anticipated flooding could threaten records set during Hurricane Irene in 2011. The hurricane created a swath ranging from 5-8″, which caused mudslides, flooding and other deadly effects.

Burlington Montpelier Plattsburgh are all in Vermont’s zone of extreme rainfall through Tuesday morning.

In southern New York and Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, it is possible that an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain will fall.

The arrival of rain is a welcome relief for communities suffering from drought
More than 60% of Northeastern states were in dry or drought condition before the rain started.

Farmers are now relying on irrigation to replace Mother Nature’s sprinkler system due to the lack of rainfall during the winter of 2023 and the first half.

The observation sites in Washington state are 7 inches below the average rainfall, while New York Central Park is over 3 inches behind.

Contrary to the Plains, there are no extreme or unusual drought conditions in the Northeast.