Severe Storms Cause Flash Flooding Crisis in Northeast States

WHO:

ABC News - Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties in West Virginia.

ABC News - 100 National Guard members were deployed to the hardest-hit areas in northern West Virginia, with an additional 200 expected to arrive by late Wednesday morning.

CBS News - The National Weather Service issued warnings regarding the severe storms.

WHAT:

ABC News - Torrential rains caused flash floods that inundated homes and businesses, washed out bridges, and led to numerous water rescues in West Virginia.

ABC News - Emergency crews reported dozens of rescues of people stuck in submerged vehicles.

NY Post - More than 7 inches of rain fell in parts of north-central West Virginia, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Flash Flood Emergency for life-threatening floods.

NY Post - Hundreds of calls for assistance were reported due to the ongoing dangerous flooding in West Virginia.

WTNH - A sinkhole closed a portion of Route 10 in New Haven due to the flooding.

WTNH - Floodwaters created 4-foot canyons at a West Haven beach.

Phys.org - The 2025 Texas Hill Country floods were identified as the deadliest flash flood event in the United States since 1976, according to new research published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

CBS News - Severe storms caused widespread flash flooding described as a "dangerous and life-threatening situation."

WTNH - Heavy rain resulted in flooding, road closures, and some power outages in Connecticut.

WHERE:

ABC News - Floodwaters forced the closure of portions of Interstate 79, U.S. Route 48, and numerous secondary roads in West Virginia.

CBS News - The storms affected areas from Ohio to New England.

WTNH - Communities across Connecticut were impacted by the flooding.

WHY:

CBS News - The storms were characterized by heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding.

HOW:

ABC News - Emergency service communication channels were active late Tuesday night in Lewis and Upshur counties, which have about 40,000 residents combined.

WTNH - Residents experienced fallen trees and power outages during the storms.

CBS News - The National Weather Service provided forecasts and warnings regarding the severe weather conditions.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 16:23 UTC)

Governor Patrick Morrisey has declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties in West Virginia due to severe flash floods caused by torrential rains, which have inundated homes and businesses, washed out bridges, and necessitated numerous water rescues. In response to the crisis, 100 National Guard members have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas in northern West Virginia, with an additional 200 expected to arrive by late Wednesday morning. Emergency crews have reported dozens of rescues of individuals trapped in submerged vehicles, while floodwaters have forced the closure of portions of Interstate 79, U.S. Route 48, and several secondary roads throughout the state.

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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 15:30 UTC)

A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of north-central West Virginia, where more than seven inches of rain have fallen, leading to life-threatening flooding conditions. As a result, hundreds of calls for assistance have been reported due to the ongoing dangerous situation. Residents are urged to stay alert and take precautions as the flooding continues to pose significant risks.

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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 12:23 UTC)

A sinkhole has closed a portion of Route 10 in New Haven as flooding continues to impact the area. In West Haven, floodwaters have carved out four-foot canyons at the beach, while residents are dealing with fallen trees and power outages caused by the storms. Authorities are urging everyone to stay safe and avoid affected areas as cleanup efforts begin.

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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 04:05 UTC)

New research published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society reveals that the 2025 Texas Hill Country floods were the deadliest flash flood event in the United States since 1976. This significant finding highlights the severity and impact of the flooding that occurred in Texas. The study underscores the importance of understanding and preparing for extreme weather events in the future.

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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 01:27 UTC)

Severe storms have caused widespread flash flooding across areas from Ohio to New England, creating a dangerous and life-threatening situation. In Connecticut, heavy rain has led to flooding, road closures, and some power outages, impacting communities throughout the state. The National Weather Service has issued warnings and forecasts to keep residents informed about these severe weather conditions.