Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected across Northeast Ohio on Wednesday, with forecasters warning of a heightened risk for localized flooding — especially in urban areas.

New York and New Jersey hit by torrential rain and flash floods, forcing highway closures, suspending subway lines and flight delays.

The flooding necessitated rescues, grounded planes, and submerged vehicles in waist-high water less than two weeks after flash floods in Texas killed more than 100 people, triggering concerns about the increasing number of flood fatalities in recent years because of heavier rainfall,