More flooding threatens storm-weary East Coast

BOSTON (AP) — The second major rain storm of the month pounded the Northeast on Tuesday with what meteorologists said could be record-setting rainfall, sending rivers toward flood stage, closing roads, delaying flights and causing a run on basement sump pumps.

About 1,000 National Guard troops were ready for action in Massachusetts, where emergency management officials were monitoring rivers that were expected to reach flood stage, putting additional strain on residents already weary of dealing with flooded yards and basements.

The storm hit as the region continues to recover from a storm two weeks ago that dropped as much as much as 10 inches of rain. The National Weather Service says more than 11 inches of rain had fallen on Boston as of Monday, and the Tuesday's rain could break the monthly rainfall record set in 1953.

Standing water was pooling on roadways across the region, making driving treacherous and forcing road closures, police said.

Weather-related delays averaged three hours at Newark Liberty International Airport, and two hours at New York's La Guardia Airport, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In New York City, a mud slide caused some interruptions on a commuter rail line in the Bronx.

The rain also caused a run on basement sump pumps at hardware and home improvement stores.