What to Know
- Floodwaters rose to car trunks in NJ, while water gushed from the ceiling of the Bryant Park subway station as storms rolled through
- Heavy rain and intense wind gusts pounded the region through mid-morning; conditions improve later as a cold front moves through
- The weather is set to turn calmer and more seasonable for the rest of the work week with an abundance of sunshine for the weekend
A raging, windswept storm tore across the tri-state area as Monday's peak morning commute got underway, dumping more than 3 inches of rain on parts of New Jersey and trapping dozens in submerged cars as gushing water terrorized subway riders across Manhattan.
One man, a 48-year-old construction employee in Bay Shore, was hit by lightning while outside the business mid-morning; police say he was taken to a hospital but was alert and talking to police and emergency crews. A flash flood warning for the NYC area has expired, but other warnings and advisories remain in effect. Click here for all weather alerts.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms punished the region through mid-morning; thunder boomed and lightning flashed around 30 Rock as rush hour got underway. Storm Team 4 warned rapid rainfall could lead to urban and coastal flooding, especially in low-lying areas. By lunchtime, more than 3 inches had fallen in northeast New Jersey and nearly 3 inches in parts of New York City.
There were reports of cars trapped in water in Fanwood and Scotch Plains, New Jersey, both Union County towns, and road flooding in Newark, where cops said more than 20 people had to be saved from their vehicles. Reports of people trapped in their homes by rising waters came in from Hawthorne, while others were stuck inside because of downed trees. Photos posted to social media showed floodwaters submerging cars from Hackensack to Jersey City to Newark.
Boats broke loose from their moorings in Weehawken Cove, drifting off into the violent waters near Hoboken or slamming against the shoreline. At least one appeared to have been capsized or partially sunk by the wild weather.
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Accidents and spinouts were reported across the tri-state. In South Brunswick, police said Route 1 had been shut down southbound at Route 522 because of "major flooding." Cops warned northbound could also be shut down.
Local
In New York City, water was seen pouring through the ceiling at the Bryant Park subway station. A huge amount of water came gushing down the stairs at the No. 1 train station at 145th Street and Broadway. Minor flooding was reported at Grand Central. Some commuters reported waterlogged LIRR trains, while area airports reported minor weather-related delays.
The NYPD had to shut down the northbound lanes on the Henry Hudson Parkway because of heavy flooding. Photos showed multiple vehicles trapped in water up to their front lights under an Upper Manhattan bridge.
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Rain should taper off from west to east by late afternoon as the cold front moves through, Storm Team 4 says.
Expect a high in the low 60s, but a low of 42. Winds blowing in from the northeast will make it feel cooler, and Storm Team 4 says gusts over 40 mph are likely through midday. NYC Ferry said its Rockaway route would be suspended until further notice because of the high winds.
The Department of Buildings also warned property owners, contractors and crane operators to take precautionary measures as strong winds threatened through the afternoon.
Temperatures will drop off again Tuesday to a high of 52, before leaping back into the upper 50s and low 60s, where they'll stay consistent through the rest of the work week, Storm Team 4 says. The weekend looks seasonable with an abundance of sunshine.
