Flash flood warnings hit north-east US amid Canada wildfire smoke

New York City and surrounding areas faced a dangerous combination of hazards on Saturday as Canadian wildfire smoke drifted back, pushing air quality to unhealthy levels, only to be followed by severe thunderstorms that triggered flash flood warnings. The storms dumped torrential rain, flooding infrastructure like Penn Station and threatening neighborhoods across the region. Meanwhile, Texas continued to grapple with the aftermath of deadly storms and record rainfall that has left at least two dead and hundreds requiring rescue.

Wildfire smoke and thunderstorms converge

After a brief reprieve on Friday, smoke from wildfires burning in Canada swept back into New York City and nearby communities on Saturday, sending air quality readings into the unhealthy range. The National Weather Service warned that conditions would gradually improve as shifting winds pushed the haze away, but those same wind changes fueled a new threat: powerful thunderstorms capable of producing flash flooding, damaging gusts, hail, and even isolated tornadoes. Much of the tri-state area was placed under a level 3 risk for severe storms—a level indicating numerous severe storms are likely, rather than scattered events.

Flash flood warning in effect

The first wave of storms moved through northern New Jersey and New York City early Saturday, prompting a flash flood warning until 2 p.m. Social media videos showed water pouring into vulnerable areas of the city's infrastructure, including Penn Station. By afternoon, more than 2.5 inches of rain had fallen in some locations, with flooding under way or expected in neighborhoods such as Jamaica, Crown Heights, Forest Hills, Ozone Park, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Woodside, and Greenpoint. Forecasters cautioned that the storms could produce torrential rainfall leading to sudden flooding, dangerous wind gusts, and possibly hail.

Texas continues to face historic flooding

While the north-east braced for storms, Texas remained in crisis mode after days of destructive storms and extreme rainfall. Although the prolonged rain had ended across the Texas Hill Country, forecasters were closely monitoring major rivers expected to surge southward through the weekend. The Devils River in southwest Texas was forecast to reach major flood stage on Saturday morning, potentially climbing as high as 22 feet—far above its flood stage of 5 feet. Similarly, the Rio Grande was expected to peak at 21 feet by Sunday morning, exceeding minor flood stage of 8 feet in the Laredo area.

Rescues and damage assessments

Emergency crews conducted more rescues on Friday as additional heavy rain expanded the flood threat. The flooding has killed at least two people and left hundreds needing rescue. Over two feet of rain fell in some areas during a week of relentless downpours. While rainfall eased, another round of showers pushed already swollen rivers even higher and flooded rural communities near the Mexico border that had largely escaped earlier damage. Near Ozona, about 200 miles west of San Antonio, flood waters overtopped Interstate 10. More than 50 people were rescued by boat from flooded apartment complexes, and an RV park was overwhelmed. In Uvalde County, a bridge collapsed over the Nueces River after the region received months' worth of rainfall in just days.

Broader impacts and outlook

In Cincinnati, Ohio, residents of the Hyde Park neighborhood reported that heavy rain escalated into dangerous flooding in just 20 to 30 minutes. Across several states, communities continued cleanup efforts and assessed damage left by powerful flooding. Long sections of highway remained submerged, forcing drivers to pull over as flood waters rose. As the north-east US contends with the twin threats of wildfire smoke and severe thunderstorms, and Texas works to recover from catastrophic flooding, forecasters urge residents to remain vigilant. The combination of changing winds and stalled weather patterns suggests that hazardous conditions may persist, with the potential for further flash flooding and poor air quality in the days ahead.