NEW YORK – Dangerous flash flooding and water rescues took place along the Interstate 95 corridor on Thursday across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with a child reported being swept away by the dangerous currents.

The threat of flash flooding materialized early Thursday afternoon in Maryland with water rescues reported in the Joppatowne area of Harford County, north of Baltimore. By 2:15 p.m., between 2 and 4 inches of rain had fallen northeast of Baltimore, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington office. 

An official with Maryland’s Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company said the boy was playing with a group of children when he was swept into a drainage pipe. The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The NWS estimated that between 4-6 inches of rain fell over the region, causing flash flooding of some creeks and streams.

Interstates flood in New York City

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City and surrounding counties, encouraging employers to dismiss their employees early. 

Dire warnings from officials in New York and New Jersey ahead of the storms were warranted on Thursday as traffic quickly became snarled around the New York metro region amid flash flooding, including major flooding on I-295 in Queens. 

Video from New York DOT cameras showed two cars and a semi-truck stuck in floodwaters feet deep with rescues in progress. Radar estimates show about 5 inches of rainfall in the area early Thursday afternoon, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

New York Police reported all northbound lanes of FDR Drive at East Houston Street were also closed due to flooding. 

Even the subways or the trains were not spared from impacts. New York City’s MTA reported delays on multiple subway lines, and water was pouring onto the platform and tracks along the Long Island Rail Road in Queens at Great Neck. 

The Long Island Rail Road service was suspended along some routes due to high water.

Video out of Queens showed firefighters assisting some passengers out of a train that was halted due to the severe weather.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it suspended traffic in both directions on the Port Washington Branch due to flooding east of Flushing Main Street. Residual delays spilled into Friday morning’s commute.

“It’s been a difficult week for our subway riders,” said Hochul at a Friday afternoon news conference. 

“Issues caused by the weather, whether it’s extreme heat or extreme weather causing torrential downpours, there have been disruptions at places throughout our system… And it’s frustrating,” Hochul continued, referring to subway power outages due to extreme heat just two days prior.

Hochul said the MTA would conduct a full review of the disruptions this week. She said that there was sufficient funding to address the issue.

Meanwhile, similar delays with trains were reported between Philadelphia and Wilmington, where high water was reported to be covering the tracks.

“We are working to establish and provide a delay time. Once a route is available, anticipate residual delays. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” Amtrak said in a statement.

Flooding spread into New Jersey, snarling traffic there, too. Water covered multiple lanes of I-280 in Orange, while cars were stuck in flooded roads in Elizabeth and Summit, according to NWS storm reports. U.S Highway 22 was covered in water in Plainfield. 

Delays are also mounting at airports across the Northeast due to thunderstorms, including Philadelphia International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport.

The flooding potential is expected to increase during the day as storms develop during the afternoon hours, some of which could be severe. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place from Northern Virginia to New York City through Thursday night. 

After the latest forecast called for up to 7 inches of rain in some areas, New Jersey Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for all of New Jersey.

“Beginning this afternoon, we are expecting severe thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts with the potential for flash flooding across the state,” Way said. “I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms. Residents should remain off the roads and indoors unless absolutely necessary.”

This latest flooding threat comes two weeks after deadly flooding claimed two lives in New Jersey when a vehicle was swept into a raging brook. During that storm, New York City experienced its second-wettest hour on record with 2.07 inches and shattering a 117-year-old daily record.