New York City officials warned residents Sunday to prepare for potentially life-threatening flash flooding as a multi-day storm system threatens to inundate the metropolitan region through Monday night.
The urgent notices carry severe weight for tens of thousands of residents living in below-grade and basement apartments, coming less than a year after a record-breaking rainstorm killed two men trapped in flooded basements in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
NYC Emergency Management and Notify NYC issued a series of alerts urging New Yorkers to prepare for periods of intense rainfall and thunderstorms through Tuesday. Officials warned that high rainfall rates could cause rapid flooding of streets, highways, underpasses, and residential basements.
“Possible heavy rain in NYC 7/5 – 7/7 may cause rapid flooding to basements, which can be life-threatening,” Notify NYC’s X account posted. “Prepare now to move to higher ground or a higher floor if needed. If you must travel, be cautious and avoid flooded roadways. Stay OUT of flooded basements.”
Meanwhile, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards wrote on X that the city is “monitoring heavy rain incoming these next few days,” adding that “if you live in a basement apartment or on a flood-prone street, now is the time to make sure you have a plan in place for when waters rise.”
Flash Flood Watch Issued Across Tri-State
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood watch for New York City, Long Island, northeastern New Jersey, and southern Connecticut through late Monday night.
Forecasters expect multiple rounds of heavy showers capable of producing widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Meteorologists warned that hourly rainfall rates could hit 2 inches during the most intense storms, creating conditions that can quickly overwhelm municipal drainage systems.
According to the weather service’s New York office, a stalled frontal boundary combined with abundant atmospheric moisture is driving the prolonged threat, with the highest risk of severe flash flooding centered over the New York City metro area and western Long Island. Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours.
Echoes of Last October’s Deadly Storms
The current weather threat underscores continuing concerns about the structural safety of New York’s below-grade housing. On October 30, 2025, a powerful storm caught the city by surprise, overwhelming infrastructure and leading to two fatalities.
In that storm, a 39-year-old man died after returning to a heavily flooded Brooklyn basement in an attempt to rescue his dog. Across the East River, a 43-year-old man was found dead inside a flooded basement boiler room in Manhattan.
The tragedies renewed intense scrutiny of the hazards posed by unauthorized and unprotected basement apartments. The deaths recalled the devastation of Hurricane Ida in 2021, when 11 people drowned in flooded basement units across the city. Emergency officials said last year’s storm proved how quickly flash flooding can turn fatal, even in areas with extensive stormwater infrastructure.
Read More on News
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
Emergency officials are urging New Yorkers to closely monitor weather alerts and act before conditions deteriorate. Residents living in basement apartments are advised to be prepared to evacuate to a higher floor immediately if water begins entering their building.
Authorities also emphasized standard flood safety protocols:
Do not walk, swim, or drive through flooded roadways, as moving water can conceal structural damage or sweep vehicles away.Clear leaves and debris from nearby street catch basins if it is safe to do so.Report severely clogged storm drains directly to the city’s 311 system.
Notify NYC has encouraged all residents, particularly those in low-lying neighborhoods, to enroll in emergency alert systems to receive real-time, localized severe weather warnings. City officials stressed that early action saves lives and warned residents never to wait until water is already rising to seek higher ground.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Steve Mollman and Anthony Murray.