Dangerous storm hits Northeast again
More than 48 million Americans face a severe storm threat of two out of five Wednesday night. July 17, 2024.
New York – Wednesday was another stormy day for the tens of millions of people who live along Interstate 95 from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast. Cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City are at risk from damaging thunderstorms that could produce hurricane-force wind gusts and deadly lightning.
The threat comes a day after severe weather hit parts of the Northeast on Tuesday, and two days after a powerful and deadly derecho swept through the Midwest on Monday, spawning several tornadoes in the Chicago area and in Indiana. Caused at least one death.
Thunderstorms began to develop along a cold front midday Wednesday across the interior Northeast and central Appalachia and began to charge eastward.
These storms approach the densely populated Northeast Corridor in the late afternoon and early evening.
Due to the growing threat of severe weather, the National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings covering about 40 million people in the Northeast and New England.
As of early Wednesday evening, some reports of storm damage from the National Weather Service included flooding in parts of Baltimore, hail in western Massachusetts and downed trees and power lines in eastern Pennsylvania.
Risk of severe weather increases for Washington, New York, Boston on Wednesday
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) emphasized on Wednesday that large areas of the eastern United States are at risk for severe weather.
Additionally, heavy rains could cause major problems, especially in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas, where the National Weather Service has issued flood warnings.
“Excessive runoff may cause flooding from rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone areas,” the National Weather Service said. “Flooding is possible in areas with poor drainage and in urban areas.”
Forecasters said rainfall rates could approach 2 inches per hour, and flash flooding could occur throughout the region if repeated or prolonged thunderstorms develop locally.
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