Heavy rain floods NYC streets, highways and subway as commuters brace for Tuesday

Travelers were bracing Tuesday morning for bumpy commutes across the New York City area due to residual disruptions from Monday’s torrential downpours, though the National Weather Service said the storms had moved east by then.

At least 2.6 inches of rain fell in Central Park by 2 a.m. Tuesday, while totals in some parts of Westchester County and northeast New Jersey exceeded 3 inches. Mountainside in Union County recorded more than 5.3 inches of rain.

Few if any major weather-related delays were reported on the subway, Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit and Amtrak Northeast during Tuesday’s morning rush. That was a stark contrast from Monday evening, when multiple rail lines and regional thoroughfares were temporarily beset by flood conditions and authorities said some drivers had to be rescued from their cars.

New Jersey appeared the hardest hit by the storms, with the governor declaring a state of emergency Monday night. Two women died in flash flooding in Union County's Plainfield when the car they were in was swept into Cedar Brook, authorities said.

According to meteorologist Greg Diamond, 2.07 inches of rain fell in Central Park between 7 and 8 p.m. — second only to the 3.47 inches that fell during a single hour in 2021, when the remnants of Hurricane Ida paralyzed the region.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Monday for all five boroughs, plus parts of Westchester County and northern New Jersey, lasting through 9:45 p.m.

An alert warned of dangerous conditions on highways, city streets and low-lying areas.

Numerous videos shared on social media showed roads under water across the metro area.

One widely circulated clip showed floodwaters on the Bronx River Parkway near Hartsdale almost reaching the height of an overhead traffic sign.

“Extreme flooding along the Bronx River Parkway near Hartsdale, NY! Almost at traffic sign height,” the account @Empire_Weather posted on X.

Officials said rainfall rates exceeded 2 inches per hour in some spots, with up to 3 inches of rain possible in just a few hours. That’s the kind of intense burst that can quickly overwhelm storm drains and flood basements and roadways.

The downpour also snarled travel across the city Monday night.

Metro-North trains on the Harlem and New Haven lines faced delays and possible suspensions in and out of Grand Central, officials said. Subway service was disrupted on multiple lines, including the 1, 2, 3 and Staten Island Railroad, which was suspended in both directions due to flooding, authorities said. The MTA also reported delays or suspensions on several express and Select Bus routes, according to officials.

Some major highways were partially closed or restricted late Monday, including the Cross Bronx Expressway, Harlem River Drive and the Staten Island Expressway, according to city emergency officials. Flooding forced a traffic detour on the George Washington Bridge ramp to the Harlem River Drive.

A flood watch remained in effect through midnight, officials said.

In Westchester County, officials closed portions of the Bronx River Parkway and the Saw Mill River Parkway due to severe flooding and fallen trees. The county warned residents to avoid all travel unless evacuating from a flooded area.

A county spokesperson said several calls had been placed on various roadways for vehicles submerged in water and rescues were underway. The Bronx River Parkway was expected to reopen in time for Tuesday’s morning commute.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul offered state support for the county’s recovery efforts. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said he had also been in contact with Homeland Security Commissioner Jackie Bray and local officials to coordinate the response.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Monday evening, citing flash flooding and high rainfall totals across parts of the state.

“Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel,” Murphy said in a post on X. “Stay safe, New Jersey.”

Residents were urged to avoid driving through flooded roads and to move to higher ground if they encountered rising water.

“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads,” the National Weather Service said in its warning. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."

This story has been updated with new information. Andrew Giambrone contributed reporting.