On Wednesday, severe storms and flash flooding transformed streets into rivers in New York City, prompting residents to seek safety and wait for the waters to recede.
People faced winds reaching 90 mph, torrential rain, and thunderstorms as officials issued alerts. New York Post reported on Thursday.
According to the report, areas in Queens received 2.75 inches of rain. Major routes like Interstate 495 in Fresh Meadows, the eastbound lanes of Grand Central Parkway, and the Cross Island Expressway in Belrose were closed, affecting the evening commute.
Video clips showed a car nearly submerged while a bus struggled through the floodwaters. Another video captured a garbage bag drifting along a sidewalk.
“I was picking up my wife from the train, holding an umbrella, and I thought, what’s the point? I just end up drenched anyway. Oh my god!” a man filming expressed.
ABC7 reported that several trees also fell in various city locations.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for areas including Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and Manhattan, warning to avoid driving in flooded zones, the report noted.
In another video, New Jersey experienced its own storm. Following the worst of the weather, New Yorkers began clearing mud and debris from their sidewalks.
“If it had rained just a bit longer, it could have been a real disaster,” a neighbor told CBS New York.
In a post on social media early Thursday, New York City Environmental Protection reported that the sewer system was designed for 1.75 inches of rain per hour, but the storm caused flows of up to 6 inches in some locations. Crews worked through the night to address the situation and continued their efforts the next day.
However, some on social media criticized officials, claiming that the comments from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection were deflecting responsibility for mismanagement and corruption.
“No excuses. This is New York City, the center of the universe. Corrupt politicians prioritize bike lanes over everything else and fund corrupt nonprofits,” commented one user.
Another user shared footage of a flash flood, stating, “In 2026, New York is the richest city on earth, but it still can’t handle the rain. Taxes are rising, yet the city is sinking.”
Additionally, severe weather also affected multiple subway lines, creating challenges for commuters, as reported by Fox 5.
