Half-marathon participants and motorists were left stranded after intense flash flooding swept parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, forcing water rescues and stopping organised running events.
Rescue teams responded to motorists trapped by rising water and to runners battling waist-deep flood water on race courses. Vehicles were submerged in several locations as roadways filled quickly, leaving some drivers unable to escape without assistance.
Connecticut officials reported that parts of the state received up to seven inches of rain in a very short period, a volume capable of overwhelming local drainage and triggering sudden inundation. The heavy downpour accounted for the speed and severity of the flooding that interrupted travel and outdoor events.
Emergency services undertook water rescues and helped clear immediate hazards, while organisers halted the half-marathon as conditions deteriorated. The combination of rapid rainfall and urban roads filled with water created pockets of risk for people on foot and in vehicles.
In the aftermath, local authorities and event organisers face immediate tasks including assessing damage to roads and vehicles, clearing standing water, and determining whether postponed events can safely resume. The scale of rain reported in parts of Connecticut highlights how quickly intense storms can disrupt transport and public gatherings across the region.
