According to the forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS), New York City may experience severe thunderstorms and heavy rains from Thursday, July 31st to Friday, August 1st. Mayor Eric Adams and the Director of the City’s Emergency Management Bureau, Zach Iscol, reminded the public on July 30th to be prepared for safety in advance.
The weather forecast indicates that New York City will face rainfall ranging from 1.3 to 3 inches (approximately 3 to 7.5 centimeters) from 2:00 pm on July 31st (Thursday) to 2:00 pm on August 1st (Friday), with some areas possibly seeing up to 5 inches. A flood watch has been issued for the city in anticipation of potential flooding.
The New York City Emergency Management Bureau (NYCEM) has issued travel warnings, urging people to avoid going out from Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Residents living in low-lying or flood-prone areas should take immediate action to protect their property and be prepared to evacuate at any time.
According to the weather forecast, a frontal boundary will stall near New York on Thursday, bringing multiple rounds of thunderstorms through Friday morning. These storms could quickly lead to localized flooding, posing a higher risk to areas with poor drainage or low elevation. While the exact locations and intensities of the heaviest rainfall cannot be precisely predicted at this time, Thursday afternoon to Friday morning is identified as the main alert period with significant risk.
Mayor Adams stated, “Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms is one of the most dangerous natural disasters in New York City due to its sudden onset and difficulty to predict. Emergency response teams are fully mobilized, but residents should also take preventive measures immediately. Especially for those living in basements, know your escape routes and evacuate as early as possible before conditions worsen.”
According to data from the New York City Health Department, flooding is one of the most deadly public health threats. Basements are particularly dangerous, as there have been cases of people losing their lives due to being unable to escape in time. If you believe flooding is imminent, please relocate to a safer location; if unable to leave safely, go up to higher floors and call 911 for assistance as necessary.
Avoid traveling during heavy rainfalls. If you must go out, drive carefully; do not walk, drive, or ride through flooded streets, and never enter flooded subway stations. Stay indoors, away from windows to avoid being hit by flying debris or fallen trees. If in a flood-prone area, move your vehicle to higher ground as soon as possible; clear leaves and debris from drainage outlets around your home to reduce the risk of standing water; stay away from fallen power poles, assuming they are electrified, and report to 911 immediately.