By COLlive reporter
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for all of NYC, as well as neighboring Essex, Hudson and Union counties in New Jersey, until 8 p.m.
Possible damaging straight-line wind from the strongest storms is possible. Hail is not likely, but an isolated short-lived weak tornado or two is not out of the question from today’s storms.
Nearly all of the tri-state area is now under a moderate risk for excessive rainfall and flash flooding starting at 2 p.m. That includes NYC, most of North and Central Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley and coastal Fairfield County in Connecticut.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would be declaring a state of emergency for New York City and surrounding counties as the area is set to get slammed by powerful summer storms.
“Heavy rain and potential flooding are expected to affect the evening commute. Employers are encouraged to dismiss employees early,” Hochul said.
In Crown Heights, flooding was seen at the main Shul of 770 Eastern Parkway and on the streets around the neighborhood.
While straight line winds are a concern, the main threat for NYC may be from flooding as a result of extreme rainfall amounts in a short time.
The MTA was already warning customers about rain having impacts for customers ahead of the storms.
The transit agency instructed riders to “use caution while traveling on stairs and platforms” as the heavy rain was likely to lead to flooding.
Each of the NYC-area airports was dealing with plenty of delays due to the weather as well:
Newark:
Arrival delays of 55 mins
Departure delays of nearly 2 hours
All inbound flights being held at their origin until 5 p.m., delayed an average of over 3.5 hours
JFK:
Departure delays of up to 1.5 hours
Inbound flights delayed at their origin just over 3 hours
LaGuardia:
All inbound flights being held at their origin until 4:45 p.m., delayed an average of 2.5 hours
Departure delays of up to 1.5 hours
The Adams administration today announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended tomorrow, Friday, August 1, 2025, to facilitate weather operations. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city.
⚠️In collaboration with @NWSWPC we have expanded the moderate risk of excessive rainfall and flash flooding potential up the I-95 corridor. Flood watches go into effect for the entire area starting at 2pm. You can check out our latest briefing at: https://t.co/610UeEEOhv pic.twitter.com/AihrDP843M
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) July 31, 2025
Who could have seen this coming? Why haven’t we been warned about these storms happening more frequently?! I blame Biden.
This is insane. It’s the last few years that there’s been so many floodings because the drain system in NYC can’t handle the amount of people that live here in the construction boom that was going on. When you community leaders to step up and advocate to get the sewage system fixed so pipes don’t back up into people’s basements every time it rains.
For many years, people in the community dismissed climate change as a hoax, the good news is it’s not too late to take action and vote for leaders who would prioritize protecting the environment
Isn’t it time we invest in our shul
Seeing the pics it breaks my heart how the shul is in need of so much repair and to be modernized
Where is all our gvirim?
770 is the headquarters of chabad
Please let’s invest to make the rebbes shul more appealing and with the times!
The floors are somewhat getting cleaned from the water the first time all year