Flash Flooding NYC: Emergency Declared as Heavy Rain Slams Tri-State Area
Severe Weather Brings NYC to a Standstill
On what began as a typical day, flash flooding in NYC quickly escalated into a full-blown crisis, prompting emergency declarations across New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. Torrential rains caused chaos on major highways, submerged vehicles, halted transit systems, and left residents scrambling for safety.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the entire NYC viewing area, with Mayor Eric Adams echoing the move for New York City itself. The entire state of New Jersey also came under emergency status due to the widespread and dangerous weather conditions.
Highways Transformed into Rivers
One of the most dramatic scenes unfolded on the Clearview Expressway in Queens. Video footage from the Citizen app showed cars and trucks stranded in deep water. At one point, a man had to climb onto the roof of his vehicle as rising waters threatened to engulf it. The NYPD and FDNY were quickly dispatched to rescue trapped motorists.
Meanwhile, the Cross Island Parkway saw significant flooding, with both directions between the Throgs Neck Bridge and Northern Boulevard closed. Alternate side parking rules were suspended, and traffic maps lit up in red as major roadways became impassable.
Transit Systems Paralyzed
🚨 BREAKING: MASSIVE FLASH FLOODING HITTING QUEENS, NYC RIGHT NOW! PROOF OF WEATHER MODIFICATION?🚨
People, STAY AWAY from Bell Blvd and surrounding areas in Queens! Torrential rains have turned streets into raging rivers — cars are stranded, drivers being rescued from submerged… pic.twitter.com/Cg2u8MXuFU
— Project Constitution (@ProjectConstitu) July 31, 2025
The flooding not only affected roads but also paralyzed NYC’s mass transit systems. The MTA reported severe delays and suspensions on the A, D, E, F, N, B, and Q trains due to power issues, track flooding, and fallen trees. Service on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) was also suspended on the Port Washington branch, stranding commuters in the evening rush.
In New Jersey, the Gladstone branch of NJ Transit was shut down in both directions between Bernardsville and Gladstone.
Meteorologist Warns: More Rain on the Way
Fox 5 meteorologist Audrey Puente reported that the flash flooding in NYC was the result of a storm system stretching from New York City to Philadelphia. Certain areas received 3 to 5 inches of rain in just a few hours, overwhelming the city’s drainage systems. Long Island, particularly along the North Shore, experienced the brunt of the storm, with cloud-to-ground lightning and near-zero visibility on the roads.
Although the most intense storm cells were beginning to weaken, more light rain showers were expected through the night into the following morning. A flash flood watch remained in effect across the entire tri-state area, and a severe thunderstorm watch was in place until 8 p.m.
Businesses and Homes Affected
BREAKING: flash flooding nyc is flooding. Flash flood warnings have been issued in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Long Island. pic.twitter.com/snWs28rgVx
— Power to the People ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) September 29, 2023
The storm’s effects weren’t limited to roads and transit. In Bayside, Queens, businesses like White Castle experienced indoor flooding. Employees confirmed the restaurant was submerged, echoing concerns voiced by residents across the city.
One Uber driver, faced with fast-rising waters in North Plainfield, New Jersey, made the smart decision to cancel a ride request, stating, “I’m not taking a risk to go under the water. It’s too dangerous.”
Stay Safe and Informed
Story here 👉️ https://t.co/3HL2il1I3x | Floodwater seeped through the walls of the 7th Avenue station in Park Slope on Thursday as storms brought heavy rain and flooding to flash flooding nyc. pic.twitter.com/nXShYnP0Vb
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 31, 2025
As flash flooding in NYC continues to pose a threat, residents are urged to:
Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel
Never drive through flooded roads
Monitor weather updates and alerts
Prepare emergency supplies in case of power outages
This extreme weather event serves as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change—and how important it is to remain vigilant.
