A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, making storms capable of unleashing huge amounts of rain over land. Studies have shown that for every degree Fahrenheit that the planet heats up, the atmosphere can hold around 3% to 4% more moisture. As a result, flooding risks across the country are expected to increase in the coming years.

Rain storms are lashing the East Coast from Virginia to Connecticut, flooding roadways and delaying flights from Boston to Washington, D.C.

State, leading to major transit closures and some damage. FOX 5 NY's Briella Tomassetti reports on LIRR closures that involved straphangers needing to be rescued, and FOX 5 NY's Hayley Fixler reports from New Jersey,