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Northeast braces for flash flooding threat

Storm clouds pass through midtown Manhattan in New York City, July 18, 2026. (Gary Hershorn/ABC News)

(NEW YORK) — The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are bracing for a new round of severe storms and possible flash flooding on Tuesday after getting hammered by heavy rain on Saturday.

The greatest threat — a level 3 out of 5 risk — will span from northeastern Kentucky to New Jersey, including Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Numerous severe thunderstorms with potentially destructive winds and tornadoes are possible in this region.

Rounds of heavy rain and strong storms will move across the Ohio Valley through lunchtime and into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through the afternoon and evening.

Areas along the Interstate 95 corridor may possibly get two rounds of storms — one midday, followed by a bigger round between about 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Flash flooding will be a concern for a large swath of the I-95 corridor, from D.C. to Philadelphia to New York City.

Flood watches have been issued from Delaware to southern New York, where rainfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour, potentially triggering flash flooding, especially in urban areas. Philadelphia and New York City are expected to be included.

More than 1,000 flights have been canceled Tuesday ahead of the storms, with airports in New York City and Baltimore, Maryland, seeing the biggest impacts.

Tuesday’s anticipated flooding comes just days after New York City was inundated with pounding rain that flooded streets on Saturday.

ABC News’ Melissa Griffin contributed to this report.

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Florida Senate race set between Ashley Moody and Angie Nixon

▶ Watch Video: Debbie Wasserman Schultz wins primary for Florida's new 20th district, AP projects Washington — GOP Sen. Ashley Moody and Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon will face off in November after winning their primaries for U.S. Senate on Tuesday night, The Associated Press projects. Moody defeated a handful of lesser-known Republicans to secure the GOP nomination Tuesday as she fights to hold onto the seat she was appointed to fill last year. But Democrats are eyeing a long-shot pickup opportunity in the Sunshine State in their effort to flip control of the Senate. Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated Alex Vindman, a National Security Council whistleblower who testified in President Trump's first impeachment trial, in Tuesday's primary. The win marks the latest example of an insurgent Democrat pulling off a victory in the primary over a more moderate opponent with a significant cash advantage. It's a dynamic that has defined the midterm elections so far, cropping up in races from New York City to Colorado to Michigan."Rep. Nixon ran a strong campaign. I will be standing by her side in the fight against Ashley Moody. I hope you'll join me," Vindman said in a statement Tuesday night.In the primary, Nixon, 42, leaned on her deep roots in the state and ran on progressive policies like Medicare for All, free childcare, paid family and sick leave and a national rent freeze, while highlighting her background as a champion for working and middle-class Floridians. She's represented portions of the Jacksonville area in the Florida statehouse since 2020."Like in many parts of the country, Florida voters were fed up," Nixon said in a statement Tuesday night. "They made it clear that they want someone who will fight for the change that actually helps their lives such as lower costs, higher wages, Medicare for All, and a people-powered government that prioritizes families.""Winning the primary was only the beginning," Nixon added. "We have 77 days to flip Florida blue, win this Senate seat, and help take back the U.S. Senate. And we cannot waste a single one. They tried to stop us. We won anyway. Now, we're coming for the U.S. Senate."Meanwhile, a handful of Republicans, including Army veteran Chris Gleason, physician Neelam Perry and minister Ernie Rivera, had been vying for the GOP nomination. But Moody, a former Florida attorney general, secured the nomination, billing herself as a fifth-generation Floridian with a track record of backing law enforcement and fighting for safer communities. The Florida Republican, 51, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to replace Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Congress' upper chamber. Now, she's aiming to win the special election to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in early 2029. Moody served as Florida's attorney general from 2019 until her appointment to the Senate in January 2025. Before that, she worked as a commercial litigator and federal prosecutor, and became Florida's youngest circuit court judge in 2007. In the Senate, she's been a reliable supporter of Mr. Trump's agenda, and received his endorsement last month. Ahead of the primary, Mr. Trump said she's "doing a tremendous job representing the incredible people of Florida."With the primary victories, attention now turns to November's general election. Democrats have been hoping to make inroads in Florida, despite the formerly purple state becoming increasingly red in recent years. Florida last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 2012.With 53 Republicans in the Senate, Democrats would need to win four seats to flip the chamber. But with limited opportunities for pickups, and a handful of their own seats to defend, Democrats' ability to take back control of the chamber has appeared to be an uphill battle. With the race in Florida, they're aiming to improve that picture.
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