A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, making storms capable of unleashing huge amounts of rain over land. Studies have shown that for every degree Fahrenheit that the planet heats up, the atmosphere can hold around 3% to 4% more moisture. As a result, flooding risks across the country are expected to increase in the coming years.

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

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and her acting New Jersey counterpart declared states of emergency for areas facing the threat of flash floods on Thursday from heavy downpours disrupting rail and air travel along the Eastern Seaboard.