Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Emergency Management urged residents to prepare for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash flooding beginning Sunday evening and continuing through Monday, with the National Weather Service issuing a Flood Watch through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The National Weather Service forecasts multiple rounds of heavy rain capable of producing 2 to 3 inches of rainfall across much of New York City, with isolated areas receiving up to 6 inches where storms repeatedly track over the same locations. Rainfall rates could reach 2 to 3 inches per hour, creating the potential for rapid flash flooding, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods and areas with poor drainage.
The greatest flood risk is expected between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Monday, when additional bands of heavy rain are forecast to move across the city. Flooding could affect streets, underpasses, highways, and other low-lying areas. Strong thunderstorms may also produce wind gusts capable of bringing down tree limbs and blowing unsecured outdoor objects.
“City workers are doing everything possible to prepare for this storm — clearing catch basins, inspecting flood-prone neighborhoods, reaching out to New Yorkers living in basement apartments and positioning emergency response teams across the five boroughs,” Mayor Mamdani said in a statement. “Now it’s time for all of us to do our part. Limit travel if you can, plan for delays and take these warnings seriously.”
Ahead of the storm, Mayor Mamdani activated the City’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan, directing City agencies and partners to take proactive steps to reduce flooding risks and coordinate emergency operations. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Sanitation, and Department of Transportation are inspecting and clearing catch basins in flood-prone neighborhoods. The New York Police Department is preparing for potential street flooding and will have tow trucks staged in every borough to respond to stranded vehicles. The Downed Tree Task Force is on standby to respond to fallen trees and large limbs.
The city’s preparedness efforts come after significant flooding in May 2026 overwhelmed the stormwater system. NYC’s drainage infrastructure is built to handle only 1.75 to 2 inches of rainfall per hour, a limitation that became apparent when heavy downpours exceeded that capacity in recent months. When the May storms dropped nearly 2.2 inches of rain on Queens and Brooklyn in under 40 minutes, the system could not manage the volume, resulting in widespread street and basement flooding across multiple neighborhoods.
The city is urging residents to limit travel during heavy rain and thunderstorms, and to never walk or drive through floodwaters. Those living in basement apartments or ground-floor homes should make evacuation plans now. Safe overnight locations are available in every borough by calling 311, and residents can sign up for basement alerts at on.nyc.gov/basements. New Yorkers should report downed trees, blocked catch basins, and other non-emergency hazards to 311, and call 911 only if in immediate danger or trapped by rising water. Emergency alerts are available by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.
Sources
- NYC.gov Mayor’s Office — Official statement from Mayor Mamdani urging preparedness, detailing National Weather Service forecasts, rainfall rates, timing of peak risk, and city agency response measures
- ABC7 New York — Confirmation of Mayor Mamdani and NYCEM warnings, flood watch details, and city preparedness precautions
- CBS News New York — Background on May 2026 flooding, drainage system capacity limitations of 2 inches per hour, and Mamdani’s assessment of the event
