Heavy rains and floods swamp northeast US as record-breaking temperatures hit the south
- Sunday’s strong storms and torrential rain led to flight cancellations, power cuts, and landslides. At least four people died in Pennsylvania
- Meanwhile, swathes of the US were under heat warnings on Sunday, as record-breaking temperatures continued to bake western and southern states
Officials in Bucks County’s Upper Makefield Township in Pennsylvania said torrential rains on Saturday in the Washington Crossing area, swept away several cars. At least four people died and three others, including a 9-month-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, remained missing, authorities said.
Other parts of the East Coast were experiencing heavy rain, including Vermont. Authorities there said landslides could become a problem on Sunday as the state copes with more rain following days of flooding.
“My team and I continue to monitor the situation as more rain falls in Vermont. There are flash flood warnings throughout the state today. Remain vigilant and be prepared,” Vermont Governor Phil Scott said.
Sunday’s strong storms led to hundreds of flight cancellations at airports in the New York City area, according to the tracking service FlightAware. More than 350 flights were cancelled at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey alone, while more than 280 flights were cancelled at Kennedy International Airport in New York. Hundreds of flights were also delayed.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings and tornado watches for parts of Connecticut, western Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. A tornado warning was issued for an area along the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border.
Thousands of power outages also were reported in the region.