The flooding caused widespread chaos, with highways submerged and cars abandoned as floodwaters rose.

Two people have been confirmed dead while vehicles were submerged and transportation systems halted as torrential rains on Monday night triggered deadly flash flooding across parts of New Jersey and New York City.

As emergency crews rushed to rescue stranded residents, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency following the severe weather, which brought more than 6 inches (15 cm) of rain in a matter of hours, according to the BBC.

“This was a life-threatening event for many communities,” BBC quoted Murphy as saying on Tuesday.

“Two people tragically lost their lives in Plainfield after their vehicle was swept away by the surging floodwaters.”

The flooding caused widespread chaos, with highways submerged and cars abandoned as floodwaters rose.

In Scotch Plains, emergency responders had to use ropes to pull a man from his partially submerged vehicle.

“We’re grateful for the bravery of our first responders who acted quickly to prevent further loss of life,” Governor Murphy added.

New York City also faced significant disruptions as subway stations were inundated, with water pouring into subway cars and forcing passengers to climb onto their seats to stay dry.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the city experienced its second-highest hourly rainfall in over 80 years, 2 inches in just 30 minutes.

The deluge led to subway delays, street flooding, and flight cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport.

As of Tuesday morning, major roads across New Jersey reportedly remained closed, while parts of the northeast, midwestern U.S., and Florida were also bracing for further storms.

“The threat isn’t over yet,” the NWS warned, noting that additional storms on Tuesday could trigger more flooding in the region.

In Virginia, the cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg were also placed on high alert, with the NWS warning of possible “catastrophic” damage from rising waters.

The flooding comes just two weeks after devastating flash floods in south-central Texas killed over 130 people, with many still missing.

The back-to-back extreme weather events are reigniting concerns over the growing intensity and frequency of climate-driven disasters.

“The heaviest rain is shifting east and beginning to weaken,” NWS New York said Tuesday morning.

“But people should remain cautious and respect all road closures and weather advisories.”

Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to stay off the roads, monitor official alerts, and be prepared for further disruptions as cleanup and rescue operations continue.