A flash flood in New York City caused a highway in Queens to be submerged in water, with many drivers being trapped on the road.
Multiple cars were trapped, including a semi-truck, with rescue officials having to pull drivers out to safety.
Heavy rains caused the flood
On Thursday, July 31, heavy rains in New York City flooded the Clearview Expressway near the Northern Boulevard in Queens.
Firefighters were called to the scene to help ‘occupants trapped in vehicles,’ per a statement from the NYC Fire Department to People.
The cars were submerged
Several outlets reported that the cars were submerged underwater, with video footage obtained by ABC7 New York showing drivers sitting on top of their cars waiting for first responders.
An eyewitness explained the situation
One eyewitness who spoke to the outlet said he saw six or seven people sitting on top of their cars waiting for help, and described the waters as ‘10 feet deep’.
“[We had] massive rainfall,” he told ABC7. “I mean. I would guess in an hour we got 3 inches.”
No injuries were reported
All of the vehicle occupants were rescued and no injuries were reported despite two people being pulled from ‘waist deep water’.
Although ABC7 has reported that the roadway has now reopened, the New York City Fire Department stayed on the scene for hours afterwards.
A state of emergency was declared
A localized state of emergency for New York City has been issued by Mayor Eric Adams due to the drenching rains.
ABC7 and CBS News New York report that Gov. Kathy Hochul has also declared a state of emergency.
Hochul warned of the floods
Per CBS, Hochul said, “I am urging all New Yorkers to stay vigilant, stay informed, and use caution as we expect excessive rainfall with the potential for flash flooding.”
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“State agencies are on standby for heavy downpours and localized flooding and will be monitoring the situation in real-time to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers in the path of the storm.”
She urged people to stay alert
In a video on X, Hochul warned commuters of possible travel obstructions, saying, “That means be alert.”
“Watch the conditions around you. And we’re making sure the subways are safe as best as we can. It’s going to be a very difficult and challenging commute going home. So, everybody be safe, be smart and we’ll get through this.”