Viral videos show flooded NYC streets, stranded cars as flash flood warning grips city

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City came under a flash flood warning on Saturday, July 18, as powerful thunderstorms swept across the area, with forecasters cautioning that life-threatening flooding could form within minutes due to intense rainfall.

The alert spanned much of the city as successive storm cells continued to pass through the region.

Officials stressed that the primary danger was not only the volume of rain, but how rapidly water could build up on streets, underpasses, and other low-lying areas across New York.

Flash flood threat grows across NYC

Rainfall intensity surged in parts of the city, reaching 2 to 3 inches within an hour, according to New York Metro Weather.

Forecasters also warned that multiple storm cells passing over the same areas could rapidly drive up totals and heighten the flash flood threat.

The impact of the storm quickly became evident across New York.

Footage circulating from Queens showed cars hemmed in by rising floodwaters, while water was seen seeping into sections of the subway system.

Several key routes were affected, with flooding shutting down parts of the Long Island Expressway and forcing the temporary closure of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

New York City Emergency Management activated its Flash Flood Emergency Plan as officials braced for additional waves of storms.

The extreme weather also hit air travel, with the Federal Aviation Administration issuing ground stops at LaGuardia Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport, leading to delays throughout the region.

By the latest updates, close to 2.5 inches of rain had already fallen, with lower Manhattan and areas of western Brooklyn and Queens seeing the heaviest totals.

Zohran Mamdani and Kathy Hochul issue warnings

Mayor Zohran Mamdani called on residents to limit travel to essential trips only, urging them not to walk, cycle, or drive through floodwaters.

Governor Kathy Hochul also warned of potential power outages, fallen trees, road closures, and flash flooding as the severe weather threat persisted across the region.

Authorities emphasized that people should move to safety immediately rather than waiting for water levels to rise further.

The National Weather Service cautioned that floodwaters can turn hazardous within moments and may hide dangers like open drains and live power lines.

The warning remains in effect as additional rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rain loom over the city, with emergency officials advising residents to stay alert and steer clear of flooded zones.