Waterlogged Northeast braces for more possible flooding as coastal storm absorbs millions through Tuesday

BOSTON – Flood watches are in effect for millions of people across New England, from Connecticut and Rhode Island to Boston and up to Maine, as a coastal storm develops and brings more torrential rain to the region for at least the first part of this new work week.

Commuters from Philadelphia to New York along the I-95 corridor in the Northeast had difficulty on the roads Monday morning and evening.

This latest bout of rain comes days after Hurricane Lee hit the area and significant flooding last week in Leominster, Massachusetts, caused a flash flood emergency.

The National Weather Service in Boston said 5 to 8 inches of rain fell from the tropical system and washed out roads and flooded homes and businesses.

This renewed threat is not as significant as last week, but there is a risk of additional flooding as the ground is already heavily saturated.

Lower rainfall totals are expected closer to the New York metropolitan area, where residents of the Big Apple may see less than half an inch. However, the farther east and north you go, the higher the rain totals will be.

In general, New England will likely see a few inches of rain, but higher amounts, up to 3 inches, are possible.

These higher precipitation totals could fall over Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts, and along the New England coast to Maine.

Several storm systems have dumped water on the region, and some areas are seeing a huge excess of total precipitation so far this year.

Hartford, Connecticut, for example, is performing more than 10 inches above average this year.

Boston is not far behind with an 8-inch surplus. Elsewhere in New England, precipitation totals are about 7 to 8 inches above average.

The National Weather Service has placed millions of people in New England under a flood watch that will remain in effect at least until Tuesday morning.

The entire state of Rhode Island is under a flood watch, along with parts of Connecticut and central and eastern Massachusetts, including Boston.

Most of New Hampshire and Maine are also under flood watch as the region braces for heavy rain that will continue throughout the day and could increase in intensity.