Flooding In NY and NJ Causes Widespread Mess Across Roads, Subway

On July 14, torrential rainfall triggered flash flooding across the Tri-State area, overwhelming roads, homes, and transit systems. In Plainfield, NJ, a statewide emergency declaration was made. Meanwhile, in New York City, subway stations were inundated during the storm’s second-wettest hour on record, causing massive service disruptions and rescues.

Heavy rainfall in New York

Heavy rainfall in NY, NJ

On Monday, July 14, 2025, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding across parts of New Jersey and New York. 

With the devastating power, this flooding forced New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency for all 21 counties. 

Rainfall in northern New Jersey ranged from 3 to 6.5 inches, with further flood impacts anticipated the following day. 

Gov. Murphy urged residents to stay off roads and follow safety guidelines as severe thunderstorms continued across the region.

Flash flooding threatens counties in New York

Flooding in NY, NJ disrupts roads and subway stations

New York City is recovering after Monday night’s torrential rain overwhelmed the subway system, roads, and airports with flash flooding.

It marked one of the city’s most intense storms in recent years. 

Mayor Eric Adams said the storm brought 2.64 inches of rain to parts of the city. 

The floodwaters surpassed the sewer system’s capacity quickly, which is only built to handle 1–1.75 inches of rain per hour. 

Subway lines were particularly affected, but thanks to quick response efforts, no major injuries or fatalities were reported. 

Officials confirmed that five of NYC’s most intense rainstorms have now occurred within the past four years, highlighting the growing strain of climate-driven extreme weather. 

Despite using 250 pump rooms and pumping over 15 million gallons of water, many commuters described chaotic scenes underground, with floodwaters resembling rivers in subway stations.

A flooded subway station in New York

More flooding in Elmsford

Flooding in NY hit Elmsford’s industrial area heavily. Businesses like Brookfield Resource Management deal with up to 18 inches of water inside their buildings. 

Although used to flooding, staff said this event came faster than usual, forcing them to act quickly. 

The Bronx River Parkway, located in a flood-prone area, was also heavily impacted.

The cleanup crews worked since early morning to clear storm drains clogged by debris. 

Despite mitigation efforts over the years, officials admit that fully preventing flooding is cost-prohibitive, and such roads will likely continue to flood several times a year. 

In nearby Rockland County, Route 59 was swamped, and storm damage brought back memories of Superstorm Sandy for local residents.

Flooding in Elmsford

2 dead in NJ

Two people were killed in Plainfield, New Jersey, after their vehicle was swept into a brook during severe flooding from an overnight storm, officials confirmed Tuesday. 

This marks the second deadly flooding event in the area this month, following another storm-related death on July 3.

Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the region's current high humidity, high temperature, and storm intensity pattern, urging residents to remain vigilant. 

The storm also brought record-breaking rainfall. Central Park marks it as the second-highest one-hour total since Hurricane Ida in 2021.

Photos of NY, NJ flood

Flash Flooding hits New York

Workers clear clogged drains on the flooded parkway

A van drives through a flooded street in the Elmsford area

A car is partially submerged on the street in the Elmsford area