Hours after New Jersey declared a State of Emergency, Gov.Kathy Hochul did the same for New York ahead of the severe weather that threatens to bring to the area severe storms and flash flooding. “The State of Emergency includes the Bronx,

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and her acting counterpart in New Jersey said they were declaring states of emergency for areas facing the threat of extreme flash floods forecast on Thursday for much of the Eastern Seaboard.

Their statements to state legislators marked the first time county officials have spoken publicly about what they were doing the morning of the disaster that killed more than 100 people in the county.

Storms are lashing the East Coast from Virginia to Connecticut, flooding roadways and delaying flights from Boston to Washington, D

Heavy rain that may cause flooding is expected both Thursday and Friday. The potential for the severe storms has prompted state of emergency declarations in parts of New York and New Jersey, effective early Thursday afternoon.

Heavy rain and flooding are impacting parts of the US East Coast, disrupting travel and leaving many residents stranded. Nearly 50 million people are under flood watches, with states of emergency declared in New Jersey and New York City.