NYCEM points journey advisory forward of thunderstorms and localized flooding

July 5, 2026

#23-26

New Yorkers Urged to Prepare for Potentially Hazardous Monday Morning Commute

NEW YORK — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) is advising New Yorkers to organize for durations of heavy rain, thunderstorms and localized flooding starting in a single day Sunday, July 5, and persevering with via the morning of Tuesday, July 7, in line with the National Weather Service (NWS). While most of Sunday will stay dry, climate situations are anticipated to deteriorate late this night, with the best journey impacts anticipated through the Monday morning commute and persevering with via Monday night time.

“City workers are preparing our city for heavy rainfall — clearing catch basins, inspecting flood-prone neighborhoods, and mobilizing our rapid response teams — and New Yorkers should take time to prepare too,” stated Mayor Mamdani. “Plan for travel delays and exercise caution while moving about the city. If the rain picks up, winds strengthen, or you hear thunder – go inside and wait out the dangerous conditions. Check on your neighbors, especially New Yorkers living in basement apartments, to be sure they’re taking the weather seriously. Stay safe and remember that information is everything: sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.”

“As we’ve seen in recent storms, flash flooding can develop quickly and create dangerous conditions with little warning,” stated NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “We’re expecting periods of heavy rain to especially impact the Monday morning commute and continue through the day, so New Yorkers should plan ahead, allow for extra travel time, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.”

NWS has issued a Flood Watch in impact via 6:00 a.m. Tuesday. Multiple rounds of rain and embedded thunderstorms are forecast to provide 2 to three inches of rainfall throughout town via Tuesday morning, with remoted areas receiving as much as 4 inches. Brief rainfall charges of 1 to 2 inches per hour are attainable in stronger thunderstorms, which may overwhelm drainage methods and result in flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

The highest danger for flooding is predicted Monday morning via Monday night time as extra rain strikes throughout the area. Localized flash flooding might affect roadways, underpasses, highways, and areas with poor drainage. Briefly robust thunderstorms may additionally produce gusty winds able to downing tree limbs and blowing round unsecured outside objects.

NYCEM has activated town’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan, coordinating carefully with NWS metropolis and state companies, utility suppliers and personal sector companions. This proactive strategy consists of pre-storm actions corresponding to focused inspection and clearing of catch basins in flood-prone areas by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation to assist scale back avenue flooding earlier than heavy rain begins. Coordinated interagency calls guarantee companions are briefed on rising dangers and ready to escalate response operations as wanted, whereas specialised emergency belongings and response groups stay on standby for fast deployment. NYCEM’s 24/7 Watch Command constantly displays climate situations and tracks creating methods in actual time.

New Yorkers ought to permit additional journey time during times of heavy rain, particularly through the Monday night commute. Avoid driving via flooded streets. Even shallow water can stall automobiles. Secure unfastened outside gadgets corresponding to patio furnishings or trash bins earlier than winds enhance. If thunder is heard, transfer indoors and steer clear of open areas. Clear particles from close by storm drains whether it is secure to take action to assist scale back avenue flooding. Stay knowledgeable by checking the forecast and signing up for emergency alerts at nyc.gov/notifynyc. Have a plan and “Be Ready” for thunderstorms and rainfall by visiting nyc.gov/beready.

NYCEM recommends the next preparedness actions for New Yorkers in coastal flood-prone areas and low-lying areas: 

Before and through an emergency, the City will ship emergency alerts via varied channels, together with Notify NYC, accessible in 13 completely different languages, with a particular sub-group devoted to Basement Apartment Dwellers. Subscribe to Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, obtain the app in your cellphone’s app retailer, or dial 311. Keep a battery-powered radio prepared for well timed updates, notably if energy outages are anticipated. 

• Know your danger. If you reside in a basement, ground-floor condo, or a neighborhood that has flooded earlier than, you’re at greater danger. Do not look ahead to water to enter earlier than you act — by then, it could be too late to go away safely. This is true even throughout slower rainfall occasions: water can accumulate regularly after which rise in a short time as soon as it enters an area.
• Make a plan now. Decide prematurely the place you’ll go if your property begins to flood — a neighbor on a better ground, a close-by public constructing, or a pal or member of the family’s dwelling. Know multiple means out of your property and ensure exits like basement doorways and home windows are clear and straightforward to open. If you utilize a mobility gadget or need assistance to evacuate, establish a selected particular person — a neighbor, member of the family, or constructing employees — who can help you earlier than flooding begins. Do not wait till water is coming into to ask for assist. If you depend on a house well being aide or caregiver, embody them in your emergency plan and know prematurely what you’ll do if they can’t attain you throughout a storm.
• Install a water alarm or flood sensor. Small water alarms that provide you with a warning when water is detected on the ground are broadly accessible for round $10–15. If you reside in a basement or a flood-prone space, putting one close to basement drains or low-lying areas can provide you crucial early warning — particularly in a single day or throughout slow-building rain occasions when chances are you’ll not discover water coming into till it’s already harmful.
• Clear drains, gutters, and stairwells earlier than storms. Remove particles from round basement home windows, stairwell drains, and gutters so water can move freely. This issues particularly earlier than extended rain occasions, when drainage methods usually tend to again up over time.
• Get flood insurance coverage. Standard renter and home-owner insurance coverage insurance policies don’t cowl flood injury. If you hire or personal in a flood-prone space, ask your insurance coverage supplier about separate flood protection.
• Register if you happen to depend on powered medical tools. Contact your utility supplier. Keep backup batteries charged and accessible.
• Get your Go Bag prepared. Keep a bag close to your door or mattress with: medicines, a flashlight, batteries, a conveyable cellphone charger, and vital paperwork in waterproof baggage. If you utilize a powered mobility gadget, listening to support, or different assistive expertise, embody additional batteries or a charger for that gadget. Bring copies of prescriptions and any medical documentation chances are you’ll want.

During a Flash Flood or Excessive Rainfall Event

• Call 911 if you’re in fast hazard or trapped by rising water.
• If you see heavy rain within the forecast, begin enthusiastic about your plan. You don’t want to attend for an official alert to behave — if you happen to reside in a basement or low-lying space, it’s at all times safer to maneuver early.
• If a Flash Flood Watch is issued, flooding is feasible. Stay alert, hold your cellphone close by, and be prepared to maneuver shortly. If a Flash Flood Warning or Flash Flood Emergency is issued,act instantly: Move to a better ground straight away — don’t wait to see water. If you’re instructed to evacuate, go now. Stay on greater floor till the warning expires. The distinction between a Warning and an Emergency is severity — each require the identical motion. Move now.
• Once you permit a flooded space, don’t return dwelling. Floodwater can rise in minutes. What appeared secure while you left might not be secure while you return. Wait till officers affirm it’s clear.
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Never stroll, swim, or drive via floodwater — regardless of how shallow it seems. Just 6 inches of shifting water can knock an individual off their toes. Just 1 foot of water can sweep away a automobile. Water on streets can conceal open drains, downed energy strains, and uneven surfaces.
• Never drive via flooded roads or underpasses. Turn round and discover one other route. Never drive round barricades — they’re there to your security.
• If you don’t have any entry to a better ground, go to a safer close by location earlier than flooding begins — a NYC authorities constructing foyer corresponding to a police precinct or hospital entrance can present refuge.
• Avoid coming into flooded subway stations. If you’re already underground, observe MTA steering and transfer to avenue degree if water is coming into the station. During extended rainfall, station and monitor flooding can develop regularly — examine MTA alerts earlier than touring.
• Do not enter flooded lobbies, stations, or underpasses. Even if the water seems satisfactory, don’t enter — situations can change in seconds.
• Do not contact floodwater. It could also be contaminated with sewage, chemical compounds, or particles — and it could carry electrical present from downed strains or submerged tools.
• Stay alert at night time. Flash flooding can occur when you sleep and heavy rainfall can intensify in a single day. Keep your cellphone close to you with alerts turned on and the amount up.
• Do not contact electrical tools or home equipment if you happen to or the tools are moist.
• Prepare for Outages: To gear up for potential energy disruptions, hold your cell telephones charged, top off on provides. If energy outages are predicted, contemplate adjusting your fridge and freezer to colder settings to increase the shelf lifetime of perishable gadgets. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are useful, maintaining additional batteries available. If you depend on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose energy, dial 911 for fast help, and bear in mind by no means to make use of turbines indoors. Check on weak people in your neighborhood, corresponding to older adults and other people with disabilities or well being situations and help them of their preparations.
  

For the newest updates join emergency alerts by visiting the Notify NYC web page, texting ‘NotifyNYC’ to 692-692 or name 311.

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