The US Northeast is reeling from the aftermath of a powerful winter storm that brought record rainfall, leaving thousands without power, disrupting air travel, and putting New York and New Jersey on high alert for potential flooding. The storm, characterized as a potent low-pressure system, swept across a wide area, causing widespread damage and disruption.
Forecasters are now anxiously anticipating the arrival of another storm expected to hit Manhattan late Friday. This next storm is likely to exacerbate the situation, bringing more rain and increasing the risk of dangerous flooding as rivers and streams throughout the region are already swollen from the previous deluge. Central Park in Manhattan broke a rainfall record for the date with 1.73 inches (4.4 centimeters) of rain on Tuesday. The US Weather Prediction Center has predicted an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain from Arkansas to Atlantic Canada throughout the weekend.
Even as rain from the previous storm subsides, flood warnings and watches are still in effect from Maine to North Carolina. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who had declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, has warned that rising waters in the Passaic River increase the risk of further flooding. Other waterways in New Jersey, such as the Saddle River and Ramapo River, experienced significant swelling overnight. Meanwhile, the Bronx River in New York rose close to reaching major flood stage early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Not only did this storm break rainfall records in Central Park, but it also set new records at New York's main airports—John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark. The heavy rain and strong winds wreaked havoc on air travel, resulting in the grounding of 652 flights as of early Wednesday, with LaGuardia being the most affected airport, as reported by FlightAware.
The widespread power outages caused by the storm have affected over 552,000 customers across twelve states, with New York and Pennsylvania experiencing the most significant number of outages, according to PowerOutage.us.
Meteorologists attribute this series of storms to the influence of El Niño in the Pacific. In an unexpected turn, temperatures in Manhattan are expected to reach a high of 60F (15.6 C) on Saturday but will then plummet to freezing overnight as the next storm passes through the region. Central US states can anticipate single-digit temperatures and even subfreezing conditions in various locations.
As the Northeast grapples with the aftermath of this powerful storm and braces for the incoming deluge, residents and authorities are taking necessary precautions to mitigate further damage and ensure the safety of those living in flood-prone areas.