Flash Flood Warning and Travel Advisory In Place For Thursday Into Friday Afternoon
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Zach Iscol today urged New Yorkers to take immediate precautions ahead of strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall forecast for Thursday into Friday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for New York City, warning of 1.3 to 3 inches of rain with higher amounts possible from 2 PM on Thursday, July 31 through 2 PM Friday, August 1. NYCEM has issued a Travel Advisory urging New Yorkers to avoid travel from Thursday afternoon and through Friday afternoon. Residents whose homes flood frequently should take steps now to protect their property and prepare to act quickly if conditions worsen.
The National Weather Service forecasts that a frontal boundary will stall near the region on Thursday, bringing repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms through Friday morning. Heavy rainfall is possible with any storm and could cause flooding wherever it falls, especially in poor-drainage or low-lying areas. NWS forecasts 1.5 to 3 inches of rain for the city, with locally higher amounts possible up to 5 inches, causing an elevated threat to life and property, particularly on Thursday afternoon and Thursday night. There is significant model uncertainty regarding the exact location and intensity of the heaviest rainfall, but the heaviest rain is expected from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, with the event likely winding down by midday Friday.
New Yorkers are urged to follow trusted news and weather sources, including emergency alerts from Notify NYC, for the latest information. Flash flooding can develop suddenly, often faster than forecasts or warnings can be issued, and conditions can change in minutes. Residents, especially those in flood-prone or below-grade living spaces, should be ready to act immediately if conditions begin to deteriorate or relocate to a safer location before the heaviest rain begins.
“Thursday’s storm system is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and potentially dangerous conditions to our city,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Flash flooding is one of the most dangerous hazards we face in New York City because it can happen quickly and without warning. Our emergency teams and city agencies are fully mobilized and prepared, but New Yorkers must also take steps to stay safe. Sign up for Notify NYC, know your exits if you live in a basement apartment, and be ready to act before conditions become life-threatening.”
