Flash Flooding Slams Tri-State Area, Halts Transit, Prompts Emergency Declarations [WATCH]

Severe flash flooding across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut on Monday brought widespread transit disruptions, road closures, and emergency declarations, as intense rainfall inundated major urban centers and left residents grappling with dangerous conditions.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for all five boroughs of New York City and Nassau County through midnight, warning residents to take immediate precautions.

“Flooding can be deadly and often strikes with little or no warning. Streets, basements, and below-grade spaces can fill with water in minutes. If you live in a basement apartment or low-lying area, be ready to move to higher ground,” New York City Emergency Management stated on X.

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The agency added: “Keep your Go Bag near the door and clear exit paths. Avoid flooded areas. Never walk or drive into water. Turn around, don’t drown.”

NEW: NWS REPORTS FLASH FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR ALL FIVE BOROUGHS

Thunderstorms are producing heavy rain across NYC. Flash flooding is already happening or expected to begin shortly. Up to 2 more inches of rain may fall quickly.

Areas affected include, but are not… pic.twitter.com/3gfq3K6Xag

— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) July 14, 2025

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Westchester County was placed under a similar alert until 12:15 a.m., as heavy flooding overwhelmed sections of the Taconic State Parkway and Saw Mill River Parkway.

Traffic was halted in multiple areas due to impassable roadways.

In Manhattan, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) suspended service on the 1, 2, and 3 subway lines due to flooding at several stations.

A video posted on X from inside the 23rd Street station showed water bursting from a floor grate and flooding the turnstile area.

Water also poured through subway doors, reaching the platform and soaking the train cars.

“Oh man, I might need a diaper!” one rider was heard joking amid the flooding, as seen in the video.

Similar conditions were reported at other stations across the city.

In one video posted to Threads, brown water surged from the floor onto the platform, stranding subway passengers inside a train car as the flooding showed no signs of slowing.

Forest Hills-bound M and R trains experienced major delays due to multiple flooded stations throughout Queens.

Videos circulating on social media showed stairwells turned into waterfalls and water gushing through underground corridors.

Surface-level roadways were also affected.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive in Manhattan became flooded, with water rising to tire-levels on vehicles by 7 p.m., according to footage from NYC Department of Transportation traffic cameras.

Drivers were seen moving at a crawl—reportedly as slow as 2 miles per hour—while navigating through the waterlogged roadway.

In some instances, drivers traveled against the current to reach visible pavement.

#FDR 10 minutes ago. AVOID THE FDR. #flashflooding #nyc #fyp #Bitcoin #news #NewYork #flood #flooding #traffic pic.twitter.com/J2vlnLkLnq

— Aaron Strom (@StromAaron) July 15, 2025

Further north, floodwaters engulfed major arteries like the Bronx River Parkway and Interstate 287, effectively shutting down access into and out of the city.

Photographs posted on X showed submerged vehicles and entire sections of roadway obscured by floodwaters.

Oh NO!

Multiple @1010WINS Jam Cams show SEVERE flooding on the #FDRdrive either way thru the 70s.

Stay with the avenues instead!@WINStrafficNYC pic.twitter.com/lNcQz18fwP

— Greg Rice (@GregRice1010) July 14, 2025

If you’re attempting to head into NYC tonight “Fuhgeddaboudit” there is serious flooding on Bronx River Parkway and 287 – many main routes in are closed. pic.twitter.com/c9MO73RG18

— Meteorologist Jack Drake (@Danbury_WX) July 15, 2025

In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency late Monday in response to the widespread impact of the storm.

“Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel,” Murphy posted on social media.

I am declaring a State of Emergency given flash flooding and high levels of rainfall in parts of the state.

Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 14, 2025

The northern part of the state saw serious damage, with emergency vehicles and personal cars submerged or overturned in areas such as Somerville and Plainsville.

In North Plainfield, a home exploded late Monday night, according to a report from ABC7.

The house had been evacuated prior to the incident and no injuries were reported.

Connecticut also experienced severe effects. Fairfield County remained under a flood warning until 12:15 a.m., as confirmed by NBC Connecticut.

The region is still recovering from a major flood last August that was described as the state’s worst in over two centuries, causing massive infrastructure damage and mudslides.

Emergency officials in all three states continue to monitor the situation as weather systems push through the region.

Commuters and residents have been advised to remain alert, limit travel, and follow local advisories as crews work to clear debris and restore services.

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