Gov. Phil Murphy was quoted as saying by CNN that  the majority of the deaths were people caught in their vehicles by flooding and were "overtaken by the water." Officials said many people were unaccounted for.

"We're going to withhold a complete rundown of the blessed losses of life. They are spread across a handful of counties, largely concentrated -- not entirely -- but largely concentrated in central Jersey and a few in the north," Murphy said in an evening update.

Six Eastern states, which include Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, recorded dozens of deaths as heavy rains lashed the regions following the storm.

On Thursday, water rescues continued in some areas, and in New York City a new task force was going to homes to make sure there weren't more victims in basements, reports CNN.

Rescuers navigated boats through flooded streets Thursday morning in and around Philadelphia, northern Delaware and parts of New York state, ferrying people from flooded homes, the American media reported.

US President Joe Biden tweeted: "To everyone who is still in harm's way and for all those struggling to deal with the aftermath of the storms and fires, keep the faith. We’re going to stand with you for as long as it takes to recover and rebuild."

Image credit: Xinhua/UNI