A powerful storm swept through New York and several parts of the northeastern United States on Monday, triggering widespread flooding, service suspensions, power outages, and urban mobility chaos. Authorities activated emergency plans in response to the rapidly deteriorating weather and infrastructure conditions.
In New York City, heavy rainfall flooded multiple subway stations, partially paralyzing the transportation system. At the 28th Street station, a video verified by Reuters showed water forcefully pouring onto the platform while passengers looked on from a halted train. Other videos shared by users showed people climbing partially submerged stairways or standing on seats to avoid contact with the floodwaters.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) confirmed that several subway lines were experiencing “severe delays” due to water accumulation in the stations. In response, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning for all five boroughs of the city until 9:45 p.m., along with a broader flood watch for the tri-state area, which remained in effect until midnight.
The storm also struck New Jersey hard. Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency following severe flooding in cities like Newark, Elizabeth, and East Orange. In Somerset County, waterlogged streets and stranded vehicles were reported in areas such as Watchung and North Plainfield, according to footage shared on social media.
The extreme weather event also disrupted electricity services. According to the Power Outage portal, over 8,000 customers lost power in New Jersey, with around 5,000 still without service past midnight. As a precaution, Newark Airport temporarily suspended all flights until 11:00 p.m. (03:00 GMT).
In New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul reported several rescues in Westchester and Rockland counties, though no fatalities were reported. The city’s emergency management office advised residents living in basements or ground floors to move to higher ground, warning that such spaces could “fill with water within minutes” and pose a significant life-threatening risk.
By 10:00 p.m., the NWS indicated that the heaviest rains had shifted eastward and were beginning to weaken. Nevertheless, flooding persisted across various urban areas, and authorities urged the public to comply with road closures and stay informed about any new alerts.
Pennsylvania also felt the storm’s impact. According to The New York Times, authorities rescued 16 people trapped by rising waters and responded to more than 30 emergency calls, most from residents in flooded basements.
This episode of severe rainfall comes just days after devastating floods in Texas, which left at least 120 dead and nearly 170 people missing. Although no fatalities have been reported in the Northeast so far, officials remain on high alert for the risk of further flooding and potential emergencies.
