A ferocious thunderstorm hit the tri-state area, causing chaos for travelers on Sunday night. The storm dumped 3 to 5 inches of rain across the region, leading to delayed trains, canceled planes, and flooded roadways. Cars battled rising waters on major highways in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens, with some roads seeing at least one lane closed due to standing water. The 86th Street Traverse in Central Park was impassable due to floodwaters under the bridge.
Shocking footage and images showed the extent of the flooding in the region, with water flowing into Chelsea Market and parts of the Garden State Parkway being underwater. In Oxford, Connecticut, cars were swept away by the fast-moving rain, while in Southbury, a man and his dog had to be rescued from floodwaters. LaGuardia Airport faced dozens of flight cancellations, leaving travelers stranded with their luggage as they waited to sort out their next move.
Both LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airport experienced flight disruptions due to the inclement weather, with JFK Airport also warned of potential disruptions. Amtrak service between New York and Philadelphia was temporarily suspended because of flooding in Newark. The heavy rain dumped over an inch in Central Park and up to 5 inches in other parts of the tristate area. The rain was expected to taper off late Sunday night into early Monday, with more thunderstorms forecasted for the afternoon.
As a result of the storm, swimming at Brooklyn beaches, Rockaway beaches, and Riis Beach was prohibited on Monday due to rip currents. The storm brought travel chaos and dangerous conditions to the tri-state area, with flooded roadways, stranded travelers, and disrupted flights causing a headache for many. Weather officials warned of the possibility of more thunderstorms reaching the region in the coming days, keeping residents on high alert for further inclement weather. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, officials worked to handle the aftermath and ensure the safety of those affected by the severe weather conditions.
