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New York City, New Jersey declare emergencies as torrential rain pounds Northeast
States of emergencies were declared in New York City and New Jersey as torrential rain pounded the Northeast on Thursday afternoon.
A level 3 out of 4 threat for flash flooding was in effect in New York City, parts of Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, southwest Connecticut, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. A severe thunderstorm watch was also issued.
Al Bello/Getty Images – PHOTO: Detective Felipe Ortiz of the New York Police Department stands on the field during a rain delay between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, July 31, 2025, in New York.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul told ABC News’ New York station WABC that the worst weather was in Queens, where storms dumped five inches of rain.
Several vehicles became submerged in floodwaters, causing swift water rescue teams to respond.
The state had already pre-positioned emergency vehicles, power generators and other resources ahead of the storm, helping crews respond quickly. A state of emergency was declared in 14 counties, and the state’s operations center was fully activated, according to Hochul.
ABC News – PHOTO: Much of the Northeast is facing a flash flooding threat on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
The heavy rain had closed sections of major New York City roads, including the Long Island Expressway, Cross Island Parkway, FDR Drive and the Clearview Expressway. Some services on the Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit were also suspended.
New Jersey Acting Governor Tahesha Way said Thursday that flooding was been reported across several major highways, including a left lane closure on I-80 in Denville, flooding on US-130 South at NJ-70 and a right lane closure on I-78 East near Exit 29 in Bridgewater.
@mzcoldheart.caple/Facebook – PHOTO: A truck on the Clearview Expressway during flooding in New York, July 31, 2025.
On US-9 North near Edison, three of four lanes were closed due to water on the roadway.
Parts of the state, including Plainfield, are still recovering from recent deadly storms and are now facing additional damage, according to the governor, who said saturated ground is worsening the impact of flooding.
Gary Hershorn/ABC News – PHOTO: A thunderstorm passes over lower Manhattan in New York City, July 31, 2025.
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Some of the heaviest rain may have fallen during the late afternoon rush hour, but the heavy rain could continue well into the evening.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, the suburbs of Washington, D.C., officials reported “considerable flooding” and some water rescues.
Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Co. – PHOTO: A water rescue in Joppatowne, Md., July 31, 2025.
There were at least four rescues reported in the Bethesda and Potomac areas, according to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service.
More than 1,400 flights have been canceled in the U.S. on Thursday, with New York City’s airports and D.C.’s Reagan National Airport seeing the biggest impacts.