Severe storms expected to slam Northeast with 32M threatened by dangerous flooding

Key Points:

• Severe storms are expected to impact more than 32 million people along the I-95 corridor from southern Connecticut to Virginia starting Thursday evening, with flash flood threats in major metro areas including New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
• A Level 3/4 flash flood risk has been issued for central and northern New Jersey and New York City, coinciding with the evening commute, while a Tornado Watch is in effect until 10 p.m. ET for over 15 million people across parts of Delaware, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
• The storms follow severe weather that hit parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, and Indiana earlier, causing power outages and tornado warnings; the cold front responsible is expected to stall over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, producing heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour.
• Widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches, with localized amounts up to 5 inches, are forecast through Saturday across the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas, raising concerns of urban and flash flooding, especially in already saturated areas like Philadelphia and New York City.
• The stalled front may lead to continued severe storms and flooding risks into the weekend, with potential for the flash flood threat to be upgraded as heavy rain persists over drought-stricken regions in the Carolinas and Virginia.