Heavy winds and torrential rain swept over New York City and its suburbs on Monday, July 6, 2026, leading to flash flood warnings and widespread disruptions.
Why it matters: The severe weather impacts millions, with emergency management officials urging residents to prepare for dangerous conditions. The storms have caused infrastructure damage, power outages, and transportation delays.
More than 60 million people from Ohio to Massachusetts faced the threat of flash flooding as storms continued across the Northeast.
New York City and Long Island were under a level 3 out of 4 threat for flash flooding, prompting urgent advisories from officials.
As of midday Monday, rainfall rates reached up to 3 inches per hour in some areas, raising concerns for rapid flooding.
Driving the news: Heavy rain and storms prompted flash flood warnings across the Tri-State Area on Monday, with rainfall totals expected to average between 3-4 inches, and localized areas potentially receiving more.
Flash flood warnings were issued for multiple counties, including Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County, where 1 to 2 inches of rain had already fallen by Monday morning.
In Orange County, NY, up to 8 inches of rain was reported as of 10 a.m. Monday, leading to flooded basements and impassable roads.
A partial roof collapse occurred at a BJ’s Wholesale Club in Oakhurst, New Jersey, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
State of play: The storms followed a brutal heat wave that affected the region over the July 4 weekend, creating hazardous conditions.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to limit travel and remain vigilant, stating, "If heavy rain begins, if the winds pick up or if you hear thunder — get inside and wait out the dangerous conditions."
Emergency management officials mobilized city workers to clear catch basins and prepare neighborhoods prone to flooding ahead of the storm.
As of Monday afternoon, the MTA reported service disruptions on several subway lines due to flooding and storm-related issues.
The big picture: The storms are part of a larger weather system affecting the Northeast, with heavy downpours expected to continue through Tuesday morning.
Rainfall totals could vary significantly across the metro area, with some locations experiencing 1 to 2 inches of rainfall by the time the storm wraps up.
In parts of Sullivan County, nearly 4 inches of rain was recorded, leading to localized flooding and hazardous road conditions.
More than 700 flights were canceled at New York and New Jersey airports as severe weather disrupted air travel throughout the day.
What they're saying: Officials are stressing the importance of preparedness as heavy rain and thunderstorms continue to threaten the area.
"City workers are doing everything possible to prepare for this storm," Mayor Mamdani said, urging residents to keep an eye out for one another.
Christina Farrell, NYC Emergency Management Commissioner, warned that "flash flooding can develop quickly and create dangerous conditions with little warning."
Residents living in basement apartments were advised to plan for possible evacuation as conditions worsened.
By the numbers: Rainfall totals and impacts varied widely across the region as the storms progressed.
Central Park recorded approximately 0.66 inches of rain, with East Hampton seeing about 0.50 inches and Scranton exceeding 2 inches.
As of midday Monday, over 173,700 customers in New York were without power due to storm-related outages, with 17,000 in New Jersey also affected.
More than 4,500 power outages were reported across Nassau and Suffolk counties, prompting states of emergency in both areas.
What's next: The National Weather Service continues to monitor the situation as heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to persist.
Flood watches remain in effect until Tuesday morning, with officials urging residents to stay informed via emergency alerts and community updates.
Temperatures will cool down to the lower 70s, but humidity levels will remain high, contributing to the risk of additional thunderstorms.
City officials plan to assess the damage and restore services as conditions improve later in the week.