Flash flooding in NYC slowed parts of the city on Saturday after heavy thunderstorms dumped 2 to 4 inches of rain by early afternoon. The National Weather Service in New York said the flooding could be locally significant and could lead to transportation disruption, basement flooding and water rescues.
Rain was expected to continue at up to an inch an hour, and a flood watch covered all five boroughs of New York City, southern Westchester County and northeast New Jersey through 2 a.m. Sunday. Residents of basement apartments were urged to move to higher floors.
Kathy Hochul and the flood watch
Kathy Hochul warned on Friday, “I remind everyone to take this weather seriously,” as the storm threat built after days of smoky skies and soaring temperatures in the Northeast. The weather turned Saturday into a transportation problem fast: the city’s subway system had service disruptions after water poured onto the tracks, and lanes on the Long Island Expressway and the Clearview Expressway were blocked by flooding.
Emergency management officials said the heaviest rain fell in lower Manhattan and western Brooklyn and Queens. Multiple submerged vehicles were captured on video on a roadway above the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and videos from Woodside, Queens showed streets under several feet of water.
LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark
LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark airports were under ground stops on Saturday evening, with delays and cancellations affecting all three airports. Saturday’s Yankees-Dodgers game was rescheduled and will be played Sunday in a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.
In Newark, Emanuel Miranda said police and firefighters responded to calls of five cars trapped in heavy waters. Jeremy Edwards said Saturday afternoon, “This storm event is not over, and the mayor continues to urge residents and visitors to our city to remain vigilant and stay safe,” as the flooding, road blocks and airport disruptions were still unfolding.
New Jersey and Sunday
Flash flood warnings were issued for several counties in New Jersey, and the National Weather Service said the threat could keep affecting transportation, basement apartments and low-lying streets as the watch remained in place through early Sunday. The practical next step for people in flooded blocks, transit riders and travelers was to avoid water-covered roads, stay off blocked lanes and expect delays to continue while conditions settle.
