Severe thunderstorms swept across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The severe weather brought in damaging wind gusts, large hail and flash flooding to cities from New York City to Washington, DC.
The storms, which began in the afternoon, prompted the National Weather Service to issue warnings and advisories as heavy rain and powerful winds disrupted travel causing power outages and forced evacuations.
Severe Thunderstorms impact major cities
On Sunday, a series of slow-moving thunderstorms hit major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC.
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for these areas, with warning of the potential for wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail as large as ‘ping pong’ balls.
The storms led to concerns related to flash flooding, with significant rainfall rates and dangerous conditions on the roads.
Flash flooding and disruptions
Heavy rain from the storms caused flash flooding across the region. In New Jersey, flooding disrupted Amtrak services between New York and Philadelphia on Sunday evening.
Western Connecticut was particularly hard hit, with flash flooding forcing road closures and water rescues in cities like Stamford and Danbury. A mudslide in Danbury triggered a major gas leak, leading to evacuations in the Woodland Hills Complex.
Continued severe weather threat
While the most severe storms were expected to end by late Sunday evening, another round of storms is predicted for Monday.
Although the threat on Monday is being considered less severe, with a level 1 out of 5 risk, residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert and take precautions as the region continues to face unsettled weather.
The storms, which began in the afternoon, prompted the National Weather Service to issue warnings and advisories as heavy rain and powerful winds disrupted travel causing power outages and forced evacuations.
Severe Thunderstorms impact major cities
On Sunday, a series of slow-moving thunderstorms hit major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC.
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for these areas, with warning of the potential for wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail as large as ‘ping pong’ balls.
The storms led to concerns related to flash flooding, with significant rainfall rates and dangerous conditions on the roads.
Flash flooding and disruptions
Heavy rain from the storms caused flash flooding across the region. In New Jersey, flooding disrupted Amtrak services between New York and Philadelphia on Sunday evening.
Western Connecticut was particularly hard hit, with flash flooding forcing road closures and water rescues in cities like Stamford and Danbury. A mudslide in Danbury triggered a major gas leak, leading to evacuations in the Woodland Hills Complex.
Continued severe weather threat
While the most severe storms were expected to end by late Sunday evening, another round of storms is predicted for Monday.
Although the threat on Monday is being considered less severe, with a level 1 out of 5 risk, residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert and take precautions as the region continues to face unsettled weather.