New York weather today: Mayor Zohran Mamdani urges residents to prepare, check travel advisory

New York City and large parts of the Northeast are under a Flood Watch as a powerful storm system threatens to bring life-threatening flash flooding, widespread travel disruptions and hundreds of flight cancellations through Wednesday morning. Officials have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded roads and subway stations, and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions.

According to the National Weather Service, the Flood Watch covers New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, much of Connecticut, northern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Slow-moving thunderstorms are expected to produce intense rainfall, increasing the risk of flash flooding across the region.

2 to 5 inches of rain expected

Forecasters say many areas could receive between 2 and 5 inches of rain, while isolated downpours may dump 2 to 3 inches in just one hour, overwhelming drainage systems and flooding roads, basements and low-lying neighborhoods.


The heaviest rainfall is forecast for Tuesday afternoon and evening. Parts of the Catskills could receive as much as 6 to 8 inches of rain within a few hours.

The US Weather Prediction Center has placed New York City, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson region under a moderate risk of excessive rainfall, with surrounding areas facing slight to marginal flood risks.

Hundreds of flights canceled and delayed

The approaching storm has already disrupted air travel across the New York metropolitan area. Hundreds of departures have been canceled at major airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, with officials warning that additional delays and cancellations are likely as the weather system moves through the region.

Travelers have been advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

NYC issues travel advisory

The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a travel advisory from 8 a.m. Tuesday through 8 a.m. Wednesday, urging residents to plan extra travel time and exercise caution.

Authorities warned that:

• 2 to 4 inches of rain are likely across the city, with locally higher totals.
• Rainfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour, leading to flash flooding.
• Residents living in basement apartments should be prepared to move to higher ground if conditions worsen.
• People should never drive or walk through flooded streets.
• Commuters using public transportation should avoid entering flooded subway stations.

Officials also encouraged residents to sign up for Notify NYC emergency alerts and remain alert for changing weather conditions.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani urges residents to prepare

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said city agencies are preparing stormwater infrastructure but emphasized that residents also need to take precautions.

"Heady rain is returning to New York City this afternoon. Our agencies are out preparing our infrastructure to quickly move stormwater off our streets, but everyone has a part to play in keeping themselves and their communities safe," he wrote on X.

He warned that even a brief period of intense rainfall could quickly flood streets, basements and low-lying areas, urging residents to stay vigilant, sign up for Notify NYC alerts and check on neighbors.

Governor Kathy Hochul warns of flash flooding

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also urged residents to monitor weather updates and avoid flooded roadways.

"New York State will be experiencing a prolonged rain event beginning Tuesday that will bring heavy rains and cause flash flooding," Hochul said, urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant and follow local forecasts.

She repeated the familiar flood safety message: "When in doubt, turn around, don't drown."

Storm follows destructive Midwest outbreak

The storm system moving into the Northeast previously swept across the Midwest, producing multiple tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail. It knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers and caused widespread flight disruptions before shifting eastward.

Officials noted that New York remains especially vulnerable to flash flooding following the deadly flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, and urged residents to take the latest warnings seriously.