Severe Storms Unleash Flash Flooding Across New York and New Jersey

Updated on: July 19, 2026 / 12:14 AM EDT / CBS New York

A powerful storm system brought severe weather to the New York and New Jersey region, resulting in flash flooding that left many areas underwater. The storm made landfall in the evening of July 18, 2026, and quickly intensified, unleashing torrential rains that pounded the area for several hours.

Residents of New York and New Jersey were caught off guard as the storm brought with it heavy rain, strong winds, and hail. The storm surge caused widespread flooding, with many areas experiencing between 2-3 inches of rain per hour. The heavy rain led to flash flooding across the Tri-State Area, particularly in Queens and central and northern New Jersey.

One of the hardest-hit areas was North Bergen, where cars struggled to navigate through murky floodwaters. Larger SUVs were able to make their way through the water, but sedans were taking on water, with floodwaters reaching the bottom of their doors. In Newark, several vehicles were left stranded after streets quickly disappeared beneath the floodwaters.

According to New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, "We have surged in a lot of utility providers to take care of the aftermath of any wind events or weather event. However, if there are 40-mile or above winds or lightning, they won't be able to operate, so we'll clean up as quickly as possible, but stay safe through the storm."

The storm also brought with it a tornado watch for several hours, although no actual tornadoes were reported. Two waterspouts were seen along the Jersey Shore, and a tornado warning was issued for central Sullivan County in New York. However, there have been no confirmed reports of a tornado touching down in the area.

Flash flooding also took a toll on the Clearview Expressway in Bayside, Queens, with vehicles stranded in rising water. Rescuers waded through the floodwaters to help drivers and passengers escape their stalled cars one by one. The flooding brought traffic to a complete standstill, with drivers abandoning their vehicles and waiting for the water to recede before moving again.

In SoHo, residents used trash bags as makeshift pants to cross flooded streets, trying to keep their feet dry. One resident, Emily Downs, described the scene, "We had kind of been flooded in. The restaurant was really gracious, and they gave a lot of people those big kind of industrial trash bags. And some people had one on each leg, and we just hopped in one and just shuffled out to the middle of the intersection to get on with our day."

Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan's concert at Citi Field was canceled Saturday night due to inclement weather. "This was a very difficult decision to make, but the first priority is always to keep everyone safe," an official statement said. Ticketholders will be refunded, and Kahan has another concert scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

The severe weather also forced the Yankees to reschedule their Saturday evening game against the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday. Beaches and pools in New York City and Nassau County on Long Island were closed due to weather, and an FDNY community block party in Queens was also canceled.

As the region begins the cleanup process, residents and officials are left to assess the damage caused by the storm. The final numbers are still coming in, but so far, an average of 2-3.5 inches of rain have been officially recorded. Radar-estimated rainfall numbers indicate that 4-6 inches of rain fell in the hardest-hit spots.

Residents are encouraged to stay safe and alert, as the storm may have left behind hidden dangers such as fallen power lines and standing water. As the region moves forward, officials will work to repair damage and restore essential services. In the meantime, residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any damage to the authorities.

Katie Houlis contributed to this report.

© 2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.