NEW YORK, NY — Heavy rain and the threat of flash flooding disrupted travel across New York City after officials issued a flood watch for all five boroughs. Forecasters said the most intense storms could arrive in waves, with conditions worsening again during the evening commute.
The warning came as neighborhoods in Queens were still dealing with the aftermath of severe weekend storms that flooded major roads and forced emergency crews into repeated rescues.
What happened on the Bronx River Parkway?
The Bronx River Parkway was among the routes affected by flooding concerns as water overwhelmed parts of the local drainage system. The situation added to an already difficult travel day in the city, where drivers were being urged to expect sudden changes in road conditions.
Officials warned that even a short lull in the rain did not mean the threat had ended. More downpours were expected later in the day, creating the possibility of renewed flooding on roads and underpasses.
How did weekend storms shape the latest warning?
Saturday’s storms left a deep mark on Queens, where floodwater covered roadways and trapped residents in dangerous conditions. In Woodside, water rose high enough on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to turn traffic lanes into what appeared to be waterways.
Fire crews also carried out a rescue in Maspeth, pulling a family of four from a basement apartment that was filling with water. Those incidents helped drive the urgency of the new warning as another storm system moved in.
What are city officials telling residents to do?
City leaders and emergency officials told New Yorkers not to drive through flooded streets or underpasses, even when the water looks shallow. They also warned against walking through standing water, which can hide open manholes, strong currents or other hazards.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said people living in basement apartments should know their exits and be ready to move to higher floors if heavy rain starts. He said city agencies were prepared to respond, but that residents still needed to act cautiously.
What happens next as the storm system moves through?
Forecasters said the storm could come in several rounds, with another burst of heavy rain possible in the late afternoon and evening. That timing raised concern for the commute, when roads, subways and drainage systems can be most vulnerable.
City crews have been deployed to clear catch basins in areas known to flood, but officials said localized downpours can still overwhelm storm drains quickly. The forecast remained unsettled as the weather pattern continued across the Tri-State area.
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