States of emergency declared amid flash floods in Northeast

(NewsNation) — States of emergency were declared in New Jersey and New York City as rain lashed much of the northeast Thursday.

Both areas, along with Philadelphia, were hit with heavy rain, stranding many motorists in deep water.

The worst of the weather is expected to hit the area into the night.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned those living in basements to seek higher ground immediately. Officials also issued an advisory asking New Yorkers to avoid travel from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.

"The Travel Advisory and Flood Watch are in effect until 8 AM. Stay where you are if you can. Don’t drive. Roadways are flooding, and crews are responding," Adams said in a X post.

Traffic cameras and social media posts showed stranded vehicles.

State officials in New York City and New Jersey were sent home early. In Maryland, multiple water rescues were reported in communities north of Baltimore.