Watch: Torrential Rain Triggers Flash Floods in New York and New Jersey

Torrential rain brought severe flash flooding to parts of New York and New Jersey on Saturday, July 18, 2026, causing significant disruption across the region. Intense thunderstorms delivered rainfall rates of two to three inches per hour in the hardest-hit areas, with some locations receiving an estimated four to six inches of rain in total. This rapid deluge led to widespread inundation of streets and highways, including the Clearview Expressway and sections of the Long Island and Brooklyn-Queens expressways, leaving numerous vehicles stranded in rising floodwaters.

The severe weather also impacted public transportation, with water seen entering sections of the New York City subway system, including Penn Station. Rescuers were deployed to assist drivers trapped in their vehicles, and officials urged residents to avoid flooded zones due to the rapid accumulation of water. Beyond the flooding, the storms also brought damaging winds, hail, prolific lightning, and even waterspouts along the Jersey Shore, while a tornado warning was issued for central Sullivan County in New York.

Communities across the Tri-State Area, particularly parts of Queens and central and northern New Jersey, experienced the brunt of the storm's impact. Power outages affected thousands of customers in the region. Cleanup efforts began shortly after the storms, though the event underscored the dangers of rapidly developing severe weather.