- A cold front caused flash flooding in central Ohio early Thursday morning, leading to multiple water rescues and road closures near Columbus.
- Severe storms swept across the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast late Thursday, producing tornadoes and significant flooding, including parts of New York City.
- In Dover, Delaware, a likely tornado caused significant damage, including flooding and downed trees; the city declared a state of emergency Thursday evening.
- A tornado was spotted in Columbia, Pennsylvania, leading to a state of emergency; nearby in York County, a high school and six townhomes were damaged.
- A waterspout came ashore in Nassau County, damaging the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach.
- A man died after being struck by lightning on a beach in Cape Charles, Virginia.
- Flooding closed roadways and caused power outages across the region, affecting more than 26,000 customers in New Jersey and over 13,000 in Pennsylvania.
- Storms dumped 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain in about three hours across northern New Jersey and southern New York.
- New York City, parts of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, were under a Level 3 of 4 flooding rainfall risk Thursday.
- The Federal Aviation Administration issued ground delays for flights arriving at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports.
- Extreme rainfall rates are becoming more common as planet-warming pollution pushes temperatures higher because warmer air holds more moisture.
Severe storms battered the Mid-Atlantic on Thursday, leading to two confirmed tornadoes and widespread flash flooding. In New York, a waterspout caused significant damage at the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, while a man tragically died from a lightning strike in Virginia.38
The storms unleashed 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain in just three hours across northern New Jersey and southern New York, prompting emergency declarations in multiple areas. Emergency crews responded to numerous incidents, including a fire in Summit, New Jersey, caused by a lightning strike.11
In Dover, Delaware, a likely tornado resulted in significant damage, with reports of downed trees and flooding. The city declared a state of emergency as two hotels suffered heavy damage, leading to the evacuation of guests.45
The National Weather Service is expected to confirm additional tornadoes after conducting damage surveys. More than 29 million people were under flood watches along the Interstate 95 corridor, with New York City and parts of New Jersey facing a Level 3 of 4 flooding risk. Over 26,000 customers in New Jersey and 13,000 in Pennsylvania were without power as of Thursday evening.1012
The storms were fueled by a cold front that had already caused flash flooding in central Ohio earlier in the day, highlighting the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change.12
“At least two tornadoes were observed, with more likely after National Weather Service surveys. In Dover, Delaware, a likely tornado caused significant damage, including two hotels, prompting a state of emergency and evacuations.”
News Channel 3-12
