At least two people are dead after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding in the New York City area and beyond, officials confirmed on Tuesday, after more than two inches of rain fell in one hour on Monday night, the second-wettest hour ever recorded in the city.
In Plainfield, New Jersey, about 30 miles away from New York City, flooding swept away a vehicle, killing two people inside.
Subway service was delayed on multiple lines Monday night at the height of the storm, CBS News reported. The downpour flooded multiple stations in Manhattan.
“The New York City sewer system, the storm water system, accommodates about an inch and a half to an inch and three quarters an hour,” Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber told CBS News. “Last night, in that one hour, we had well over 2 inches of rain. So what happens is the system backs up into the subway.”
Intense rainfall over New York caused severe flooding in the city, sending water gushing into a subway train platform as authorities issued several flash flood warnings across the New York City metropolitan area pic.twitter.com/so3YNCJWgg
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 15, 2025
The flooding left some riders stranded, while others navigated pools of water on still-functioning platforms. Subway lines restored service Monday night with delays.
New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as multiple counties were under flash flood warnings. He attributed the storm damage to climate change, saying, “We New Jersey, we America, we the globe, are getting dragged by climate,” The New York Times reported.
Rescue crews pulled drivers from stalled cars while roads shut down. Authorities launched boats into flooded streets after a river overflowed, according to CBS News.
Rafts, a giant truck, and a frontloader rescued people.
Conditions are expected to clear on Tuesday as the storm shifts southward.
The flooding comes after flash floods hit Texas, killing more than 130 people, ABC News reported. More than 100 people remain missing.
