The National Weather Service kept a Severe Flood Watch in effect for New York City and northeast New Jersey until 6:00 a.m. on June 23, 2026, as heavy showers and thunderstorms move through the region. The alert covers the five boroughs and adjacent counties in New Jersey, with rainfall rates near 2 inches per hour and strong gusts expected overnight. Last updated: June 22, 2026.
The watch matters because intense rainfall over short periods can trigger rapid runoff, urban flooding and rises on small streams. Forecast totals of 1 to 2 inches, with localized amounts up to 3 inches, may overwhelm poor drainage locations, underpasses and flood-prone corridors, while gusts up to 50 mph could down trees and power lines, disrupting travel and utilities.
Flood watch and timing for NYC and northeast New Jersey
The watch remains active until 6:00 a.m. Monday for Western and Eastern Passaic, Hudson, Western and Eastern Bergen, Western and Eastern Essex, and Western and Eastern Union in New Jersey, as well as Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Northern Queens and Southern Queens. Showers and occasional thunderstorms with high atmospheric moisture were expected to persist through the night, keeping the risk of flash flooding elevated into the early morning hours.
Forecasters indicated most spots would see 1 to 2 inches of rain, with localized totals approaching 3 inches where slow-moving storms train over the same areas. Hourly rainfall near 2 inches could quickly pond water on roadways and overwhelm storm drains, particularly in dense neighborhoods and low-lying zones.
Forecast specifics: Rainfall rates and wind gusts
Bands of showers and thunderstorms were forecast to produce brief but intense downpours capable of 1 to 2 inches per hour. The combination of saturated surfaces and high rainfall rates increases the likelihood of rapid runoff into creeks and streams, potentially pushing smaller waterways out of their banks. Wind gusts near 50 mph may cause scattered tree damage, isolated outages and blocked roadways, compounding hazards during the overnight commute windows.
Officials warned of water pooling in underpasses, on-ramp merges and along known flood corridors. Residents were advised to avoid walking or driving through flooded streets and to move to higher ground if water rises, with 911 available for emergencies and municipal channels providing ongoing alerts.
City response and public advisories
City officials activated emergency response teams to monitor impacts and respond to incidents, issuing a municipal travel advisory for potential transit delays and roadway hazards. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday morning, “Heavy downpours will likely continue into the night. We may see severe thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour.”
Authorities urged residents to secure outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds and to keep an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, a flashlight and a first aid kit. A city hotline was made available for assistance and to report storm-related issues, with officials encouraging the public to monitor updated forecasts and be ready for potential Flood Warnings if conditions deteriorate.
