July 5, 2026

#23-26

NYCEM ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY AHEAD OF THUNDERSTORMS AND LOCALIZED FLOODING

New Yorkers Urged to Prepare for Potentially Hazardous Monday Morning Commute

NEW YORK — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) is advising New Yorkers to prepare for periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms and localized flooding beginning overnight Sunday, July 5, and continuing through the morning of Tuesday, July 7, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). While most of Sunday will remain dry, weather conditions are expected to deteriorate late this evening, with the greatest travel impacts expected during the Monday morning commute and continuing through Monday night.

"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," said 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," said 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 effect through 6:00 a.m. Tuesday. Multiple rounds of rain and embedded thunderstorms are forecast to produce 2 to 3 inches of rainfall across the city through Tuesday morning, with isolated locations receiving up to 4 inches. Brief rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible in stronger thunderstorms, which could overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

The highest risk for flooding is expected Monday morning through Monday night as additional rain moves across the region. Localized flash flooding may impact roadways, underpasses, highways, and areas with poor drainage. Briefly strong thunderstorms could also produce gusty winds capable of downing tree limbs and blowing around unsecured outdoor objects.

NYCEM has activated the city’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan, coordinating closely with NWS city and state agencies, utility providers and private sector partners. This proactive approach includes pre-storm actions such as targeted inspection and clearing of catch basins in flood-prone areas by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation to help reduce street flooding before heavy rain begins. Coordinated interagency calls ensure partners are briefed on emerging risks and prepared to escalate response operations as needed, while specialized emergency assets and response teams remain on standby for rapid deployment. NYCEM’s 24/7 Watch Command continuously monitors weather conditions and tracks developing systems in real time.

New Yorkers should allow extra travel time during periods of heavy rain, especially during the Monday evening commute. Avoid driving through flooded streets. Even shallow water can stall vehicles. Secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture or trash bins before winds increase. If thunder is heard, move indoors and stay away from open areas. Clear debris from nearby storm drains if it is safe to do so to help reduce street flooding. Stay informed 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 following preparedness actions for New Yorkers in coastal flood-prone regions and low-lying areas: 

Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts through various channels, including Notify NYC, available in 13 different languages, with a special sub-group dedicated to Basement Apartment Dwellers. Subscribe to Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, download the app in your phone's app store, or dial 311. Keep a battery-powered radio ready for timely updates, particularly if power outages are expected. 

• Know your risk. If you live in a basement, ground-floor apartment, or a neighborhood that has flooded before, you are at higher risk. Do not wait for water to enter before you act — by then, it may be too late to leave safely. This is true even during slower rainfall events: water can accumulate gradually and then rise very quickly once it enters a space.
• Make a plan now. Decide in advance where you will go if your home starts to flood — a neighbor on a higher floor, a nearby public building, or a friend or family member's home. Know more than one way out of your home and make sure exits like basement doors and windows are clear and easy to open. If you use a mobility device or need help to evacuate, identify a specific person — a neighbor, family member, or building staff — who can assist you before flooding begins. Do not wait until water is entering to ask for help. If you rely on a home health aide or caregiver, include them in your emergency plan and know in advance what you will do if they cannot reach you during a storm.
• Install a water alarm or flood sensor. Small water alarms that alert you when water is detected on the floor are widely available for around $10–15. If you live in a basement or a flood-prone area, placing one near basement drains or low-lying areas can give you critical early warning — especially overnight or during slow-building rain events when you may not notice water entering until it is already dangerous.
• Clear drains, gutters, and stairwells before storms. Remove debris from around basement windows, stairwell drains, and gutters so water can flow freely. This matters especially before prolonged rain events, when drainage systems are more likely to back up over time.
• Get flood insurance. Standard renter and homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage. If you rent or own in a flood-prone area, ask your insurance provider about separate flood coverage.
• Register if you rely on powered medical equipment. Contact your utility provider. Keep backup batteries charged and accessible.
• Get your Go Bag ready. Keep a bag near your door or bed with: medications, a flashlight, batteries, a portable phone charger, and important documents in waterproof bags. If you use a powered mobility device, hearing aid, or other assistive technology, include extra batteries or a charger for that device. Bring copies of prescriptions and any medical documentation you may need.

During a Flash Flood or Excessive Rainfall Event

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or trapped by rising water.
• If you see heavy rain in the forecast, start thinking about your plan. You do not need to wait for an official alert to act — if you live in a basement or low-lying area, it is always safer to move early.
• If a Flash Flood Watch is issued, flooding is possible. Stay alert, keep your phone nearby, and be ready to move quickly. If a Flash Flood Warning or Flash Flood Emergency is issued,act immediately: Move to a higher floor right away — do not wait to see water. If you are told to evacuate, go now. Stay on higher ground until the warning expires. The difference between a Warning and an Emergency is severity — both require the same action. Move now.
• Once you leave a flooded area, do not go back home. Floodwater can rise in minutes. What looked safe when you left may not be safe when you return. Wait until officials confirm it is clear.
• Turn Around, Don't Drown. Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater — no matter how shallow it looks. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet. Just 1 foot of water can sweep away a car. Water on streets can conceal open drains, downed power lines, and uneven surfaces.
• Never drive through flooded roads or underpasses. Turn around and find another route. Never drive around barricades — they are there for your safety.
• If you have no access to a higher floor, go to a safer nearby location before flooding begins — a NYC government building lobby such as a police precinct or hospital entrance can provide refuge.
• Avoid entering flooded subway stations. If you are already underground, follow MTA guidance and move to street level if water is entering the station. During prolonged rainfall, station and track flooding can develop gradually — check MTA alerts before traveling.
• Do not enter flooded lobbies, stations, or underpasses. Even if the water looks passable, do not enter — conditions can change in seconds.
• Do not touch floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage, chemicals, or debris — and it may carry electrical current from downed lines or submerged equipment.
• Stay alert at night. Flash flooding can happen while you sleep and heavy rainfall can intensify overnight. Keep your phone near you with alerts turned on and the volume up.
• Do not touch electrical equipment or appliances if you or the equipment are wet.
• Prepare for Outages: To gear up for potential power disruptions, keep your cell phones charged, stock up on supplies. If power outages are predicted, consider adjusting your refrigerator and freezer to colder settings to extend the shelf life of perishable items. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are functional, keeping extra batteries on hand. If you rely on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose power, dial 911 for immediate assistance, and remember never to use generators indoors. Check on vulnerable individuals in your community, such as older adults and people with disabilities or health conditions and assist them in their preparations. 
   

For the latest updates sign up for emergency alerts by visiting the Notify NYC page, texting 'NotifyNYC' to 692-692 or call 311.

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MEDIA CONTACT: NYCEM Press Office (718) 422-4888

STAY CONNECTED: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications)

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