The flood threat lingers in New England as more storms loom later this week

Heavy rain is winding down across southern New England after flooding roads and neighborhoods, though a few downpours may still cause flash flooding before storms return again later this week. After a stormy holiday weekend, the Northeast is still waiting for a break from the rain. A slow-moving storm system brought widespread rain to the Northeast, leaving parts of the region vulnerable to additional flooding. The heaviest rain has begun to shift away from much of southern New England, though scattered showers remain. Flooding leaves damage across the Northeast Several days of rain took a toll across the Northeast. Danbury, Connecticut, has picked up more than 6 inches since Sunday, while flooding covered roads and trapped vehicles in parts of New Jersey, New York, and southern New England. The radar shows bands of rain stretching across southern New England Tuesday afternoon, with heavier pockets near Massachusetts, Rhode Island and coastal areas. In Ocean Township, New Jersey, part of a BJ’s Wholesale Club roof collapsed Monday while 27 people were inside. Two people were partially trapped, but officials said they were able to get out safely. It was a reminder that days of heavy rain can cause problems well beyond flooded streets. Flood Threat Narrows In Southern New England The worst of the flood threat has eased for much of Connecticut and central Massachusetts, where only 1 to 2 inches of rain is now expected. However, southern New England is not completely done with the rain. The heaviest downpours through Tuesday will stay closer to Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flood Watch for parts of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. A slow-moving weather pattern is keeping deep tropical moisture in place across the region. A weak low-pressure system passing near southern New England, along with a nearby front, is helping lift that moisture into bands of rain and embedded thunderstorms. A storm system offshore continues to pull moisture into New England and the Mid-Atlantic, bringing heavy rain across the region Tuesday afternoon. Rainfall could still total 2 to 4 inches in parts of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts before the rain finally tapers off. A brief break before storms return High pressure will build into New England Wednesday and Thursday, allowing rain to end and skies to gradually brighten. Temperatures will also climb, with afternoon highs approaching 90 degrees across much of southern New England. The warmer and drier stretch should provide time for water levels to recede. Related article Here are the states hardest hit by severe weather this year moving into the middle of summer The next chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms arrives late Thursday into Friday as another disturbance and cold front nears. Forecast timing is still uncertain, and some showers could linger into Friday. As the end of the week arrives, it will become clearer whether storms will become strong enough to bring more heavy rain or localized flooding.