New Yorkers Prepare for Wild Winds, Flood Watch, and Possible Tornado Saturday

Published Jul 18, 2026 at 8:25 a.m. ET

New York City has been no stranger to intense thunderstorms in the summer, but this Saturday's forecast looks particularly concerning. A line of severe thunderstorms is expected to affect the region, bringing with it damaging winds, heavy downpours, and a possible tornado.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the city, running from Saturday morning into early Sunday. The strongest storms are expected in the late afternoon and early evening, with damaging wind gusts of up to 70 mph possible.

The city's Emergency Management Department is warning residents to secure loose outdoor items, such as trash cans and umbrellas, and to stay indoors during the storm. 'Damaging wind gusts of 50-70 mph are the main threat with these strong storms,' said a spokesperson for the department. 'They can topple trees, power lines, and cause significant disruptions to daily life.'

Meteorologist Brian Ciemnecki with the National Weather Service added that the region can expect to see smoke from the Canadian wildfires lingering throughout the day. 'Air quality through most of the city was rated 'unhealthy' on Saturday morning, but we expect it to improve as the day goes on.'

The timing of the worst of the storm is still uncertain, but Ciemnecki said that the most dangerous periods would likely land between 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday. 'Give or take an hour or two on either side,' he cautioned.

Tornadoes in the five boroughs are rare, but not unheard of. 'Tornadoes don't discriminate,' said Ciemnecki, 'but we're not expecting anything devastating along the lines of an F4 tornado.'

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the storm, city and state officials are urging residents to take precautions. NYC Emergency Management has activated its Flash Flood Emergency Plan, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani has instructed city workers to prepare for the worst. 'City workers are preparing our city for tomorrow's storms by clearing catch basins, staffing up emergency response teams, and placing our downed-tree task force on standby,' he said in a statement.

Govs. Kathy Hochul and Mikie Sherrill also issued warnings to residents, urging them to take this weather seriously and be prepared for the unexpected. 'Know what to do if a storm reaches your area, and don't forget to check on friends and family members who might need assistance,' said Hochul.

Emergency officials are offering standard guidance to residents, including staying indoors and away from windows during the storm, and checking on neighbors, especially those in basement apartments. New Yorkers can also sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.

A calm is expected to follow the storms on Sunday and Monday, with clearer skies and less smoke. However, by Tuesday, thunderstorms are expected to return, with another risk of flash flooding.

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