Eric Adams, Kathy Hochul Declare Statewide Emergency as NYC Subways Drown, Streets Flood [WATCH]

Widespread flooding across New York City on Thursday created major disruptions throughout the region, with multiple highways submerged, subway stations inundated, and commuters stranded during the evening rush, as reported by The New York Post.

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency as a result of the severe storms that dropped several inches of rain in a short period.

Scenes unfolded on the Clearview Expressway in Queens, where floodwaters trapped a semi-truck and several other vehicles. Video from the scene showed water rising above the cab doors of an 18-wheeler and two vehicles nearly fully submerged beneath an overpass.

BREAKING: NEW YORK GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN NYC AS FLOODWATERS SWALLOW THE CITY

Subways flooded. Streets turned to rivers. pic.twitter.com/kB0iyCyAIW

— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) July 31, 2025

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A pickup truck hauling a small vehicle was seen attempting to drive through water reportedly more than three feet deep.

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New York Police Department Emergency Services Unit and Fire Department crews responded to Northern Boulevard after receiving reports of people trapped inside flooded vehicles.

#BREAKING New York is under a state of emergency as it’s #Flooding once again.

Flash flood warnings have been issued. pic.twitter.com/f8eNC6Zg1S

— Tim (@Dragonboy155) July 31, 2025

Officials confirmed all occupants were able to exit their vehicles safely, though it was unclear whether they escaped on their own or were assisted by first responders. The Clearview Expressway was shut down in both directions at Northern Boulevard.

Latest on the storm ️ https://t.co/3HL2il1I3x | Rain has brought significant flooding to parts of New York City, including Bayside, Queens, as this Citizen App video shows. pic.twitter.com/kkDlEJcb69

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 31, 2025

In addition to road closures, the storm caused major issues across the subway system.

Platforms at Grand Central Station were soaked, and water could be seen cascading down stairs and walls inside Brooklyn’s Jay Street-MetroTech station and Park Slope’s Seventh Avenue station.

NYC Grand Station is flooding right now as a State of Emergency is declared with more heavy manufactured rains forecast ‼️ pic.twitter.com/alO9D3rrU1

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) July 31, 2025

Video posted online captured the extent of the flooding, drawing widespread attention.

New York Governor Issues State of Emergency for NYC as Floodwaters Overwhelm City.

Subways inundated. Streets transformed into rivers. pic.twitter.com/vNuoOpl4o3

— Digital Gal (@DigitalGal_X) July 31, 2025

In Queens, an LIRR train became stuck on the tracks near Bayside station for several hours.

Passengers were eventually evacuated by ladder. Jessica Grant, a Stony Brook resident traveling home from Lake George, described the experience:

“About like 15 minutes after we stopped on the tracks, all the lights went off. That’s when I got a little scared and went, ‘Oh boy, something’s going on.’”

Another passenger said train staff repeatedly told them a “rescue engine” was on the way, but it never arrived. A third commuter, who experiences claustrophobia and double vision, said she began to panic as temperatures inside the train cars rose.

Subway service across several lines was impacted by a power outage at a Manhattan station, compounding travel difficulties as thousands of commuters tried to return home.

One MTA bus in Brooklyn was seen with water flooding the center aisle. “They need traffic agents over here. It is flooded,” said a rider recording the scene.

Flash flooding on Thursday brought parts of New York City to a halt—this wild scene in Staten Island shows a car dodging a geyser of water shooting from a manhole.

Mayor Adams declared a state of emergency as roads closed & transit stalled.#NYwx pic.twitter.com/uNHGZrVa1v

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) August 1, 2025

Flooding led to temporary closures of the Long Island Expressway, Cross Island Parkway, and Staten Island Expressway. In New Jersey, three southern counties were placed under a tornado warning, and the state issued its own emergency declaration.

Air travel was also impacted, with delays of up to three hours reported at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the city through Friday morning, forecasting up to five inches of rainfall in total.

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