Hurricane Ida: Emergency declared in New York amid flooding; 7 dead

The governors of New York and New Jersey have declared a state of emergency lateas record-breaking rains from tropical storm Ida led to flooding and hazardous conditions on the roads, with media reporting at least six deaths.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio described the flooding and weather as a "historic weather event".

At least one person was killed in flash flooding that inundated the New Jersey city of Passaic, Mayor Hector Lora told CNN.

NewYorkers were inundated byheavyrainandflashfloodingearly Thursday asStormIdawreaked havoc on the northeast United States, forcing flight cancellations and state of emergency declarations.

Idaslammed into the southern state of Louisiana over the weekend, bringing severefloodingand tornadoes.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled at nearby LaGuardia and JFK airports, as well as at Newark.

Floodinghas closed major roads across multiple boroughs including Manhattan, The Bronx and Queens.

The NWS recorded 3.15 inches ofrainin Central Park in just an hour, the area's wettest hour on record. Thecityearlier issued a rareflashflood emergency warning urging residents to move to higher ground.

In Annapolis, 30 miles from the US capital, a tornado ripped up trees and toppled electricity poles.

US President Joe Biden is due to travel Friday to Louisiana, whereIdadestroyed buildings and left more than a million homes without power.