NYC Under Flood Watch As Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms Threaten Thursday

NEW YORK, NY — New Yorkers could face heavy rain, flash flooding and damaging wind gusts Thursday as thunderstorms move through the city, officials warned.

New York City Emergency Management issued a travel advisory for Thursday, with the greatest chance of rain and thunderstorms expected between about 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The city is under a Flood Watch from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday.

Forecasters expect between a half-inch and 1.5 inches of rain across the area, though isolated thunderstorms could dump as much as 2.5 inches in some spots. Thunderstorms could also produce rainfall rates of up to 1.5 inches per hour.

Localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low-lying and poor-drainage areas during the afternoon and early evening, officials said.

An isolated stronger storm could also bring damaging wind gusts of up to 65 mph and small hail.

The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center placed New York City under a Level 2 of 4 risk for excessive rainfall and flash flooding, while the city is under a Level 1 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms.

"The forecast does not currently indicate a widespread flooding event, but thunderstorms can develop quickly and produce heavy rain and strong winds in a short period of time," Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said.

The city's Flash Flood Plan was activated Wednesday morning, and its Downed Tree Task Force was placed on alert.

Officials urged New Yorkers to allow extra travel time, avoid flooded streets and subway stations, and never walk, bike or drive through floodwater. Those living in basement apartments or other below-grade spaces should be prepared to move to higher ground if conditions worsen.

Rain chances are expected to taper off overnight, though an isolated shower could linger into midday Friday.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.