For the second time in two weeks, flash floods have slammed New York, New Jersey, and other parts of the Northeast, as a slow-moving cold front unleashed torrential rainfall and powerful thunderstorms on Thursday, disrupting travel, prompting evacuations, and tragically claiming a life in Maryland.
States of Emergency Declared in New York and New Jersey
With streets quickly turning into rivers and transit lines overwhelmed, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams both declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid all nonessential travel.
“I am urging all New Yorkers to stay vigilant, stay informed, and use caution as we expect excessive rainfall with the potential for flash flooding,” Hochul said. “State agencies are on standby… to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.”
Mayor Adams echoed the urgency on X, warning that city roads were flooding and residents in basement apartments should evacuate immediately.
Widespread Disruption to Transportation
More than 50 million people were under flood watches on Thursday, and New York’s three major airports—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark—were heavily impacted. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed, with:
- JFK and Newark reporting delays of 3.5 hours
- LaGuardia facing 2.5-hour delays
Public transit was no better. The Long Island Rail Road’s Port Washington branch was suspended due to flooding. In the subway system, A, B, C, D, E, F, and Q trains experienced major service changes, with the Q line partially suspended due to a fallen tree on the tracks at Parkside Avenue.
Major Road Closures Across NYC
The NYPD reported several highway closures, including:
- All northbound lanes of FDR Drive at E Houston Street
- Southbound lanes of the Cross Island Parkway blocked at the Throggs Neck Bridge
- Clearview Expressway closed in both directions at Northern Boulevard
Videos circulating online showed vehicles submerged in floodwaters along Queens roadways, underscoring the extreme conditions facing residents and emergency crews.
Tragic Loss in Maryland
Outside New York, tragedy struck Mount Airy, Maryland, where a child was swept into a storm drain during flash flooding. Despite the efforts of 50 first responders, the child could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Carroll County Fire Chief Michael Robinson.
What’s Behind the Floods?
According to the National Weather Service, the flooding is the result of a slow-moving cold front interacting with exceptionally high atmospheric moisture. Forecasters expected 1.5 to 3 inches of rain in New York through Friday afternoon, with more isolated flooding possible.
Stay Safe and Stay Informed
Authorities are urging the public to:
- Avoid driving through flooded streets
- Heed all emergency alerts
- Move to higher ground, especially if living in flood-prone or basement units
With more rain expected, the situation remains dangerous. Emergency crews continue to respond citywide as New Yorkers face yet another round of severe flooding that highlights the growing challenges posed by extreme weather.
