NYC Commuter Chaos as Flash Floods Trigger State of Emergency

Severe floods hit New York City on Thursday, plunging the nation’s largest metropolis into chaos as heavy storms dumped inches of rain in a matter of hours. The sudden downpours triggered flash floods, inundating subway stations, stranding motorists, and leaving neighborhoods grappling with rising water levels.

The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for the city beginning Thursday afternoon, cautioning that as much as 5 inches of rain could fall in a short span, much of it during the evening rush. At peak times, rainfall exceeded two to three inches per hour—overwhelming the city’s aging drainage systems and causing dangerous runoff, especially in low-lying areas and densely packed boroughs.

Across the five boroughs, harrowing scenes unfolded as commuters navigated waterlogged subway stations, with dramatic videos capturing water surging into the 7th Avenue and Bayside Long Island Railroad stops. In Queens, cars on the Clearview Expressway found themselves nearly submerged, while at Grand Central Terminal, torrents of water rained from the ceiling onto waiting trains and passengers below.

In response to the emergency, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City and several nearby counties. Mayor Eric Adams quickly followed suit, urging New Yorkers—particularly those living in basement apartments—to move to higher ground and stay off flooded roads. City emergency crews worked tirelessly overnight, pumping water from flooded tunnels and subway lines in an effort to restore transportation services by the next morning.

The flooding’s effects rippled through the city’s major airports, with hundreds of flights delayed or canceled at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark. Delays at JFK stretched beyond three hours at times, stranding passengers and compounding travel frustrations. Authorities warned that even a few inches of swift-moving water could be deadly, advising residents to stay vigilant and avoid attempting to navigate flooded roads or subways on foot.

This flooding event is only the latest in a summer marked by repeated deluges and heatwaves across the East Coast. Meteorologists point to climate change as a factor in the increasing frequency and intensity of these storms, noting that the city’s saturated soil made it particularly vulnerable to flash flooding.

As city workers survey damage and begin repairs, officials urge New Yorkers to monitor weather updates and have emergency plans in place. As climate challenges mount, the city’s focus is not only on recovery, but on building resilience for a future where extreme weather may become the new normal.