Mayor Adams declares state of emergency amid NYC flash flood warning, water rescues

A flash flood warning has been issued for Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island with Mayor Eric Adams declaring a state of emergency and the FDNY rescuing motorists stranded by rising waters.

The heavy rains are turning the evening commute into a nightmare, as flooding conditions necessitated the closure of several popular routes in and out of the city Thursday afternoon, while traffic was snarled on the LIRR.

Authorities are warning people not to walk or drive where water covers the road and urged commuters to find alternatives. “If you live in a basement apartment, move to safety now,” the NYPD advised on X.

Starting around 4 p.m. all northbound lanes on FDR Drive at East Houston St. were closed due to flooding. Closures also impacted the Long Island Expressway, including at Springfield Blvd. going eastbound, and westbound at Bell Blvd.

The Clearview Expressway was closed in both directions at Northern Blvd. for hours.

First responders rescued at least three people who were trapped as their vehicles became submerged underwater around 2:30 p.m., an FDNY representative said.

Video circulating online showed at least one person taking refuge on the roof of a submerged tractor trailer awaiting rescue. No injuries were reported.

Southbound Cross Island Parkway remained closed approaching the Throgs Neck Bridge in Queens due to “unconfirmed damage to the roadway and retaining wall,” NYPD posted on X.

Service is suspended on the Long Island Railroad between Penn Station and Port Washington in both directions as water completely flooded the tracks.

Another video on social media showed floodwaters inundating a bus in Flatbush.

The subways are also experiencing major delays on the A, D, E, B, F and C lines, some of which was caused by earlier signal problems.

In an appearance on ABC7 NY Adams warned:

“Do not enter the subway for your own safety.”

Originally Published: July 31, 2025 at 4:15 PM EDT