New York City witnessed a record-setting rainfall event, with nearly 8 inches of rain falling at JFK Airport in a single day, the highest since 1948.
Streets, basements, schools, subways, and vehicles were inundated by fast-rising floodwaters, catching commuters off guard during the morning rush hour.
Scientists attribute this extreme weather event to climate change, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor, leading to intense rainfall that overwhelms aging flood protections.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for NYC, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the severity of the flooding and dangerous travel conditions.
First responders worked tirelessly to rescue individuals stranded in flooded cars and basements, exemplifying acts of heroism during the crisis.
Floodwaters entered 150 of NYC's schools, with one school in Brooklyn evacuating due to boiler issues caused by the flooding.
Major disruptions occurred in public transportation, with suspensions on 10 train lines in Brooklyn and all three Metro-North train lines.
Flight delays affected all three NYC area airports, with LaGuardia's historic Marine Air Terminal closing due to flooding, impacting Spirit and Frontier airlines.
A travel advisory remains in effect, with the flood threat extending beyond NYC and impacting approximately 25 million people across the Northeast.
Heavy rain expanded into southern New England, especially Connecticut, where flash flood warnings were in place, affecting the region's transportation and daily life.