New York, NY – Heavy rain threatens to swamp roadways, basements, and subways across New York City, northern New Jersey, and southern Connecticut as a flood watch continues until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could dump more than two inches of rain per hour in some neighborhoods, raising the risk of sudden flash flooding.
According to the National Weather Service, the flood watch covers all five boroughs of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, plus key New Jersey areas including Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Union counties. In Connecticut, Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties are under the alert. A slow-moving frontal boundary colliding with tropical air will drive bands of torrential rain into the overnight hours.
Drivers should expect rapidly rising water on the Cross Bronx, BQE, and Garden State Parkway, along with ponding on city streets and flooded underpasses from Stamford to Paterson. Metro-North and subway riders may face service disruptions if tracks flood. Residents in flood-prone basements and low-lying neighborhoods should move valuables to higher ground and be ready to act quickly if warnings are issued.
Officials urge everyone to avoid unnecessary travel, charge devices, and have an emergency kit ready. Flash flood warnings could follow with little notice, especially where downpours train over the same area.
The flood watch remains in effect through 2 a.m. Wednesday, but scattered storms could linger into the morning commute. Check for the latest advisories and prepare for more alerts as storms continue to threaten the Tri-State.
