NYC subways swamped, streets flooded after record rain
A freak deluge Monday night turned parts of the city into a waterlogged maze, flooding subway stations, shutting down major roadways and delivering the second-wettest hour ever recorded in New York City history. Between 7 and 8 pm, Central Park clocked 2.07 inches of rain, second only to the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Videos posted across social media showed just how bad it got. One now-viral clip captured water cascading into the 28th Street station on the 1 line, while passengers inside a train were seen climbing onto their seats to avoid ankle-deep water. MTA officials suspended several subway lines Monday night, though most service had resumed—with delays—by Tuesday morning.
FLASH FLOODING CARS ARE ALMOST FULLY SUBMERGED! #NYwx
📍Nanuet, NY @NWSNewYorkNY @ryanhallyall @foxweather @Ginger_Zee @MaxVelocityWX pic.twitter.com/EfCsQUqxCR
— Storm Chaser Anthony Rizzardi (@AnthonyRizzWx) July 14, 2025
The scenes were dramatic, but not unexpected. As Columbia geophysicist Klaus Jacob explained to the Brooklyn Eagle back in 2021, anything that's a hole into a tunnel is a problem—especially with 39,000 open-air subway vents and a sewer system too outdated to keep up with today's storms. The MTA has requested $6 billion to enhance stormwater resilience, but much of the work remains unfunded.
Above ground, it wasn't much better. The Cross Bronx Expressway and Saw Mill River Parkway were among several roadways temporarily closed. In the Bronx, the Bronx River swelled to flood stage, prompting emergency rescues from stalled vehicles. In Harlem, a falling tree branch injured a pedestrian during the storm.
By sunrise Tuesday, the skies had cleared, but the cleanup had just begun. City workers were seen sweeping out stations and unclogging drains as the region braced for more unsettled weather later in the week, including a heat wave that could push the 'real feel' into triple digits by Thursday.
🚊 SUBWAY SWAMP: Water seeped into the carriage of a subway train stopped at New York City's 28th Street station as the platform was completely flooded during a storm last night, locking passengers in. https://t.co/vndrcxTh61 pic.twitter.com/a5LsZsfGm3
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) July 15, 2025
Transit and environmental advocates wasted no time in pointing fingers. 'Again and again, subway flooding tells us that climate change is real, it's here and it's urgent,' Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance told amNew York, calling for more green infrastructure and better emergency transit options.
By morning, trains were moving and the skies had cleared, but the storm left more than puddles behind. Once again, a few inches of rain were enough to paralyze the city's core systems, from subways to sewers. New York may have dodged the worst-case scenario this time, but the message was hard to miss: Our infrastructure isn't ready and the weather isn't waiting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
18 hours ago
- Time Out
The heat advisory is still in effect in NYC today, with humid temps hitting the 100-degree mark
New York City is baking and not in the bagel-scented, Brooklyn-brunch kind of way. A heat advisory remains in effect through 10 pm tonight, July 17, as temps soar into the mid-90s and humidity pushes the heat index past the 100-degree mark. If you're stepping outside today, expect to feel like you're walking into a steam room with subway delays. According to FOX 5 NY's Mike Woods, Thursday marks the peak of the current heat wave, with scattered thunderstorms looming later this afternoon. The risk includes sudden downpours, damaging wind gusts and flash flooding—the kind that recently turned some subway stations into impromptu water rides. Mayor Eric Adams took to social media to warn New Yorkers earlier this week and the National Weather Service is urging everyone to hydrate (stick to water, not margaritas), avoid strenuous activity outdoors and seek out cooling centers if needed. Even Queens Public Library reminded residents, 'We're here to help!', with air conditioning included. Heads up, New Yorkers. We could see another heat wave starting tomorrow, meaning multiple days of dangerous heat. While the forecast could change, it's always a good idea to prepare. Find the best tips to "Beat the Heat" here: — Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 15, 2025 If you're keeping score, this isn't just another hot day in July. It's part of what meteorologists are calling the 'year of the flood,' thanks to record-setting rainfall and tropical-style humidity driven by unusually warm Atlantic and Gulf waters. Two people died in New Jersey just days ago when flooding swept away their vehicle, making today's weather not just uncomfortable, but potentially dangerous. The good news is that relief is coming. Friday promises drier air and highs in the mid-80s, while Saturday dips into the low 80s with overcast skies and evening showers. Until then, grab your water bottle, cancel that afternoon jog and maybe postpone that uptown subway ride. For now, it's best to keep cool, stay safe and remember: NYC's street heat is undefeated—but so is your local bodega's freezer aisle.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
NYC subways swamped, streets flooded after record rain
New Yorkers know how to roll with the punches, but even this storm hit different. A freak deluge Monday night turned parts of the city into a waterlogged maze, flooding subway stations, shutting down major roadways and delivering the second-wettest hour ever recorded in New York City history. Between 7 and 8 pm, Central Park clocked 2.07 inches of rain, second only to the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Videos posted across social media showed just how bad it got. One now-viral clip captured water cascading into the 28th Street station on the 1 line, while passengers inside a train were seen climbing onto their seats to avoid ankle-deep water. MTA officials suspended several subway lines Monday night, though most service had resumed—with delays—by Tuesday morning. FLASH FLOODING CARS ARE ALMOST FULLY SUBMERGED! #NYwx 📍Nanuet, NY @NWSNewYorkNY @ryanhallyall @foxweather @Ginger_Zee @MaxVelocityWX — Storm Chaser Anthony Rizzardi (@AnthonyRizzWx) July 14, 2025 The scenes were dramatic, but not unexpected. As Columbia geophysicist Klaus Jacob explained to the Brooklyn Eagle back in 2021, anything that's a hole into a tunnel is a problem—especially with 39,000 open-air subway vents and a sewer system too outdated to keep up with today's storms. The MTA has requested $6 billion to enhance stormwater resilience, but much of the work remains unfunded. Above ground, it wasn't much better. The Cross Bronx Expressway and Saw Mill River Parkway were among several roadways temporarily closed. In the Bronx, the Bronx River swelled to flood stage, prompting emergency rescues from stalled vehicles. In Harlem, a falling tree branch injured a pedestrian during the storm. By sunrise Tuesday, the skies had cleared, but the cleanup had just begun. City workers were seen sweeping out stations and unclogging drains as the region braced for more unsettled weather later in the week, including a heat wave that could push the 'real feel' into triple digits by Thursday. 🚊 SUBWAY SWAMP: Water seeped into the carriage of a subway train stopped at New York City's 28th Street station as the platform was completely flooded during a storm last night, locking passengers in. — FOX Weather (@foxweather) July 15, 2025 Transit and environmental advocates wasted no time in pointing fingers. 'Again and again, subway flooding tells us that climate change is real, it's here and it's urgent,' Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance told amNew York, calling for more green infrastructure and better emergency transit options. By morning, trains were moving and the skies had cleared, but the storm left more than puddles behind. Once again, a few inches of rain were enough to paralyze the city's core systems, from subways to sewers. New York may have dodged the worst-case scenario this time, but the message was hard to miss: Our infrastructure isn't ready and the weather isn't waiting.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Heavy rains and flash flooding sweep across Northeast
Heavy rain swept across parts of the U.S. Northeast on Monday night, inundating sections of New York and New Jersey with flash flooding that stranded vehicles in roadways, closed subway lines and led to the declaration of a state of emergency. Flash flood watches and warnings were in place in parts of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas as downpours moved through the region. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to flash flooding and heavy rainfall, advising people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. A video posted to social media by CBS showed flood waters bring a major roadway in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, to a standstill, stranding buses. Some buses and trains in New Jersey were delayed due to flooding. In New York City, some subway service was suspended while other lines were running with severe delays due to flooding, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. New York's emergency services agency wrote on the social platform X that parts of the city and mid-Hudson were getting hit with flash floods. Video posted on social media appears to show water flooding down into a Manhattan subway station, submerging the platform, while passengers inside a train watch. Another photo appears to show passengers standing on a train's seats to avoid the water beginning to soak the floor. Parts of major thoroughfares in New York, such as the northbound lanes of the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Cross Bronx Expressway, were temporarily closed due to flooding and at least one downed tree. Officials in New York's Westchester County were working to rescue people whose vehicles were submerged in water, according to Carolyn Fortino, a spokesperson for the county executive. 'At this time, residents are still strongly advised to avoid all travel unless fleeing an area that is subject to flooding, or under an evacuation order,' she said in an email. A flood warning was also issued for Staten Island, which had seen about 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 centimeters) of rain, according to NYC's emergency notification system. Mount Joy, in southeastern Pennsylvania, declared a disaster emergency as more than 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) of rain fell in less than five hours Monday, according to the Fire Department Mount Joy. Some people reported over 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water in their homes and emergency responders made 16 water rescues, although no injuries were reported. 'The declaration enables us to access additional resources to support residents and accelerate recovery efforts,' Borough Emergency Management Coordinator Philip Colvin said in a statement. By Monday evening, the rainfall had lessened and water in Mount Joy had started to recede. In Metuchen, New Jersey, about 34 miles (54.7 kilometers) southwest of New York City, Mayor Jonathan M. Busch, wrote on Facebook that the borough was significantly flooded, but by Monday evening water levels had already receded. 'It looks like the worst of the storm is behind us and thankfully, everyone is safe,' he said.
