Maine police are conducting a search operation for two individuals who went missing after their car was swept away in floodwaters during a powerful storm that struck the Northeast on Monday. The incident occurred on Route 2 in Mexico, located approximately 75 miles north of Portland, according to the Maine State Police.

Four individuals were inside the vehicle when it was carried into the rising floodwaters of the Swift River, as reported by local authorities. Three of the occupants managed to escape from the car, while two others were successfully rescued. However, the remaining two individuals – one who fled from the car and the other who remained inside – have not been located thus far.

The two rescued individuals were promptly transported to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia. Their current conditions have yet to be disclosed by the police. Multiple roads in Mexico remain closed, and certain residential areas are completely inaccessible. As a result, boats have been deployed to assist trapped residents.

Maine Governor Janet Mills officially declared a state of emergency for 14 counties in response to the catastrophic flooding. The storm claimed at least five lives on Monday, wreaking havoc across the region.

In Greene County, New York, a driver tragically lost their life when their vehicle was swept away in floodwaters, according to the Greene County Sheriff's Office. Meanwhile, in Windham, Maine, a man perished after being struck by a tree while attempting to clear debris from his roof, as reported by the Windham police.

Another fatality took place in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, where an 89-year-old man was killed when a fallen tree trapped him inside a trailer, as confirmed by the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office. Furthermore, deaths were also reported in Fairfield, Maine, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, according to The Associated Press.

The storm initially hit the Southern states on Sunday, and another death was attributed to it in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, close to Charleston, according to the AP.

As the search for the missing individuals continues, authorities are urging the public to respect road closures and avoid entering flooded areas in an effort to ensure public safety.