NEW YORK — Severe weather is taking aim at the Tri-State area. The National Weather Service and local authorities have issued a Flood Watch for New York City and surrounding regions, warning residents to prepare for torrential downpours, strong winds, and potential flash flooding starting Tuesday morning.
The Flood Watch officially goes into effect at 8:00 AM Tuesday and will remain active through Wednesday morning.
Areas Under the Flood Watch
The alert covers all five NYC boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island—along with a wide surrounding area:
- New York Counties: Nassau, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland.
- New Jersey Counties: Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic, and Union.
- Connecticut Counties: Fairfield and New Haven.
What to Expect: Storm Timing and Rain Totals
While Tuesday morning will start relatively dry—though noticeably muggy—conditions will quickly deteriorate by early afternoon.
Flooding Downpours: Expect multiple rounds of heavy rain through Tuesday afternoon and overnight into Wednesday.
Severe Weather Risks: Some localized storms could bring damaging wind gusts and hail alongside intense rainfall.
Expected Rain Totals: Most areas are projected to receive 1 to 3 inches of rain. However, severe spots could see isolated totals spiking between 4 to 5 inches.
Temperatures on Tuesday will stay cooler under cloud cover, holding in the mid-to-upper 70s.
NYC Emergency Management Warns of Flash Flood Dangers
With several inches of rain falling in a short window, urban flash flooding is a major concern. NYC Emergency Management has already instructed city agencies to clear catch basins and remove street debris to prevent severe backups.
Roadways, low-lying highways, street intersections, and underground underpasses could flood rapidly.
Important Safety Advisory:
Travel Caution: New Yorkers are advised to limit unnecessary travel during the peak of the storm. Never attempt to drive or walk through flooded streets—water depth can be deceiving and dangerous.
Basement Residents: If you live in a basement apartment and water begins to pool, move to a higher floor immediately.
Outdoor Safety: If caught outdoors during severe lightning or thunderstorms, seek indoor shelter right away.
Looking Ahead: Rest of the Week Forecast
Wednesday: Scattered lingering showers will persist through the day with a high near 77°F. The threat of flash flooding will gradually diminish by Wednesday morning.
Thursday & Friday: Unsettled weather slowly clears. Thursday carries a slight chance of lingering showers, while Friday looks mostly dry with only a minor spot shower risk.
Weekend Outlook: Saturday is shaping up to be the better day of the weekend with bright, dry conditions. A late-day pop-up shower remains possible on Sunday.