WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) — Flash flooding brought on by heavy rains prompted road closures, water rescues and commuter rail problems across the tristate area Sunday.

The National Weather Service said the hardest-hit areas appeared to be northern New Jersey, parts of New York’s Westchester County and a swath of coastal Connecticut along Interstate 95. The service issued flash flood warnings across the region for much of the morning Sunday as rain fell at a rate of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) an hour in places.

Metro-North and Amtrak said their rail lines to New Haven, which serve Norwalk, Bridgeport and other major Connecticut communities, were experiencing delays and cancellations due to flooding impacts.

Tweed New Haven Airport also closed its departures terminal due to local flash flooding. Airport officials in a Facebook post said travelers with flights departing Sunday should not come until further notice.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and other state officials, meanwhile, urged drivers to avoid flooded roadways and not to attempt to drive through standing water.

Water rescues conducted in Connecticut coastal cities

The coastal stretch from Norwalk to Westport was among the most impacted in the state, receiving 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 centimeters) of rain Sunday morning, with rainfall rates reaching 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 centimeters) per hour.

In Westport, emergency responders conducted 13 rescues of people trapped in vehicles by floodwaters, according to the fire department. Photos and videos shared on social media showed downtown businesses inundated.

“Even as the rain subsides, standing water and other hazards may remain,” the department cautioned on Facebook. “Residents should continue to avoid flooded roads, never drive around barricades, and give emergency crews room to work.”

In Bridgeport, the fire department said in a social media post it answered “call after call” on Sunday, including deploying boats “to rescue residents from flooded areas and bring them to safety.” Photos shared by the department showed residents being helped into a boat from the door of a house, with rescuers standing in knee-deep water outside.

The heavy rains also forced multiple road closures and some water rescues in White Plains and other major communities in New York’s Westchester County.

In New Jersey, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said emergency crews rescued about 20 people from rapidly rising floodwaters, including a woman who fell out of her wheelchair and ended up floating in the street.

Sayegh said there were no immediate reports of any deaths or severe injuries from the deluge, even as video shared on social media showed parked cars submerged nearly up to their windows on some roads.

As the rains tapered off and the skies cleared, Paterson’s annual Dominican parade stepped off Sunday afternoon, though with a slight delay.

“The rain won’t stop us from celebrating our culture, pride, and community!” organizers wrote on Facebook.

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Heavy rain caused significant flooding in Westport on Sunday, closing roads, damaging property and prompting more than a dozen rescues as rising water left people stranded in their cars.

Several inches of rain fell in town, flooding roads, businesses and residential properties. Much of the water had drained by Sunday evening, and fire officials said they did not anticipate major impacts to the morning commute.

The Westport Fire Department made 13 rescues involving people stranded in their vehicles because of rising water.

Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cohen said parts of Westport are prone to flooding when brooks and creeks connected to the Saugatuck River overflow.

“With that flash flooding, the amount of water and runoff, filling those up pretty quickly that then caused them to exceed their banks,” Cohen said.

Flooding also affected businesses along Route 1. Debris from receding floodwaters was left outside a Shell station, where the water had risen close to the front entrance.

In Southport, flooding closed the intersection where Route 1 crosses with Interstate 95 for hours. State transportation workers worked to ensure the drainage system was functioning properly.

Eight-year-old Tristan Matheis described the depth of the water.

“I put my hand in and it was like a foot deep,” Matheis said.

On Greens Farms Road in Westport, Harriett Terbell said she watched water rush down the hill after the storm moved in.

“This was gushing down the hill from the juncture of Post Road,” Terbell said.

The downpour flooded parts of Terbell’s property and left a car stranded in the water. Terbell said a neighbor down the street had water get inside a home.

“A foot, two feet or water in the house. I’m lucky I have nothing in the house.”

Cohen said the lack of rain later Sunday afternoon and evening allowed floodwaters to drain and should help limit disruptions to the morning commute. He also said conditions were helped by the absence of another weather event bringing heavy winds.

“Really, this was a water event, whereas a lot of times, they’re coupled with heavy winds so really that further complicates things even worse,” Cohen said.

Terbell said she was grateful for the Westport Fire Department’s response.

“Everybody’s safe and sound and good and the fire department up in Westport is the best,” Terbell said.

The proposed complex is expected to bring several community services together at the site, including a relocated and expanded Elmwood Community Center, Elmwood Senior Center, teen center, and Faxon Branch Library.

The town said the temporary dog park closure is intended to keep visitors and their pets away from the active demolition area.

“Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Our goal is to keep you and your pets safe during construction,” the town said.