The highway in Queens remained submerged on Thursday afternoon, trapping a semi-truck and three cars. This prompted Governor Hochul to declare a state of emergency for the Big Apple as heavy rain soaked the area.
Emergency services from the FDNY and NYPD rushed to the ClearView Expressway near North Boulevard around 2:45 p.m. after reports emerged of residents stuck in flooded vehicles.
Fortunately, the occupants of an attic managed to escape safely, although it’s unclear whether they were rescued by emergency personnel or got out on their own.
As a result of the flooding, ClearView has been closed in both directions on Northern Boulevard, according to the NYPD.
Video footage shared on social media captured a pickup truck attempting to navigate through muddy waters, reportedly over three feet deep at one point.
In the video, one sedan was seen with water almost filling the interior, all four doors wide open. Other visuals showed two vehicles nearly completely submerged, with one SUV stuck under an elevated train and an 18-wheeler taking on water at its doors.
Numerous firefighters equipped with flotation gear were visible along the highway in the footage.
Images from traffic cameras on the ClearView Expressway also revealed at least two cars largely engulfed in rising waters, with the level reaching the doors of a halted 18-wheeler.
A severe thunderstorm made its way into the New York City area that Thursday afternoon, with predictions of widespread flooding and up to five inches of rain in some locations.
In light of this severe weather, Hochul declared a state of emergency.
“Torrential rains and likely flooding may disrupt evening commutes. Employers should consider letting workers leave early,” the governor noted on social media.
