A powerful storm caused sudden flooding in New York and New Jersey, leading to a state of emergency, public transport disruptions and safety warnings on Friday.
A state of emergency has been declared in New York and New Jersey due to severe thunderstorms that have brought heavy rain and flash flooding from New York to Washington. In New York, flash floods have closed major roads, delayed flights across the region and flooded railway stations throughout the metropolitan area just before the evening rush hour.
The city has already faced serious consequences: roads are flooded, public transport is running intermittently, and emergency services are responding to numerous flood-related incidents.
On Thursday afternoon, a section of the Clearview Expressway in Queens, near Northern Boulevard, was flooded, trapping a semi-trailer truck and three cars on the road.
FDNY and NYPD emergency services arrived at the scene at around 2:45 p.m. after reports that people were trapped in their vehicles. According to the FDNY, all passengers were safely removed, although it is not yet clear whether they did so on their own or were rescued.
Forecasters are warning of heavy rain, with precipitation reaching up to 3 inches per hour. Most areas will see 1 to 3 inches of rain, but some areas could see 5 to 8 inches.
State of emergency in New Jersey
In New Jersey, Acting Governor Tahesha Way also declared a state of emergency, effective at 2 p.m. on Thursday, citing the risk of flash floods, severe storms and destructive wind gusts. “I urge all New Jersey residents to remain vigilant, follow all safety guidelines and monitor appropriate channels during these storms,” Way said, advising residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Soaked soil combined with heavy rain increases the risk of flash flooding, landslides and mudslides, especially during the evening rush hour.
Stormy conditions set in on Thursday afternoon and are expected to continue. In response, New York City authorities issued recommendations for tourists for Thursday and Friday and announced a possible flood warning for Thursday afternoon.
“Be prepared for a major storm,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams wrote on social media. “Avoid travel if possible and prepare in advance with flood prevention measures.”
