Historic flooding sweeps northeast US

Historic tropical rain fell on portions of the northeast Wednesday night, including New York City where widespread flash flooding occurred. Central Park set a new record, with 75mm (3.15 inches) of rainfall in just one hour. The previous record was set just last week during tropical storm Henri. (Anthony Behar/CNN)

After devastating the Louisiana Gulf Coast, what was left of hurricane Ida swept across the northeastern US on Wednesday, with historic flash flooding and tornadoes. The severe weather was responsible for at least 8 deaths in the metropolitan New York region and  neighbouring New Jersey. The water came fast and furious, with 125 to 225mm (5-9 inches) of rain falling in just a few hours.

The record setting tropical downpour had nowhere to go, with neighbourhoods flooded and homes swamped. Highways flooded rapidly and the New York City subway came to a halt in partially submerged tunnels trapping commuters. First responders were forced to make numerous rescues. A state of emergency has been declared in both New York and New Jersey.

Earlier in the day powerful thunderstorms produced large tornadoes over portions of Maryland and southern New Jersey. Numerous communities were impacted, with several homes destroyed. The death toll from Ida sits at 16. 

What is left of the system is located near Cape Cod early Thursday morning, moving northeast towards Nova Scotia. Rainfall warnings are in effect for portions of Atlantic Canada, with 40-60mm forecast along with embedded thunderstorms and gusty winds.