Drenching rains bring flash flooding across coastal Connecticut, New
York and New Jersey
[September 14, 2026]
WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) — Flash flooding brought on by heavy
rains prompted road closures, water rescues and commuter rail problems
across the tristate area Sunday.
The National Weather Service said the hardest-hit areas appeared to be
northern New Jersey, parts of New York’s Westchester County and a swath
of coastal Connecticut along Interstate 95. The service issued flash
flood warnings across the region for much of the morning Sunday as rain
fell at a rate of 1 to 2 inches an hour in places.
Metro-North and Amtrak said their rail lines to New Haven, which serve
Norwalk, Bridgeport and other major Connecticut communities, were
experiencing delays and cancellations due to flooding impacts.
Tweed New Haven Airport also closed its departures terminal due to local
flash flooding. Airport officials in a Facebook post said travelers with
flights departing Sunday should not come until further notice.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and other state officials, meanwhile, urged
drivers to avoid flooded roadways, and not to attempt to drive through
standing water.
Water rescues conducted in Connecticut coastal cities
The coastal stretch from Norwalk to Westport was among the most impacted
in the state, receiving 6 to 7 inches (15-18 centimeters) of rain Sunday
morning, with rainfall rates reaching 3 to 4 inches (8-10 centimeters)
per hour.
In Westport, emergency responders conducted 13 rescues of people trapped
in vehicles by floodwaters, according to the fire department. Photos and
videos shared on social media showed downtown businesses inundated.
“Even as the rain subsides, standing water and other hazards may
remain,” the department cautioned on Facebook. “Residents should
continue to avoid flooded roads, never drive around barricades, and give
emergency crews room to work.”
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This photo provided by Westport Fire Department shows flash flooding
in Westport, Conn., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Jennifer Petrosinelli/Westport
Fire Department via AP)
In Bridgeport, the fire department said in a social media post it
answered “call after call” on Sunday, including deploying boats “to
rescue residents from flooded areas and bring them to safety.”
Photos shared by the department showed residents being helped into a
boat from the door of a house, with rescuers standing in knee-deep
water outside.
The heavy rains also forced multiple road closures and some water
rescues in White Plains and other major communities in New York's
Westchester County.
In New Jersey, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said emergency crews
rescued about 20 people from rapidly rising floodwaters, including a
woman who fell out of her wheelchair and ended up floating in the
street.
Sayegh said there were no immediate reports of any deaths or severe
injuries from the deluge, even as video shared on social media
showed parked cars submerged nearly up to their windows on some
roads.
As the rains tapered off and the skies cleared, Paterson's annual
Dominican parade stepped off Sunday afternoon, though with a slight
delay.
“The rain won’t stop us from celebrating our culture, pride, and
community!” organizers wrote on Facebook.
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