New York: A geyser of floodwater erupted inside a Manhattan subway station on Monday evening, soaking platforms, submerging train cars, and prompting emergency alerts across New York City and New Jersey. Heavy downpours stalled trains, flooded roads, and triggered a state of emergency in parts of the Northeast as inches of rain fell in a matter of hours.
Flash floods swamped the 28th Street No. 1 subway station, where passengers watched water gush down stairs and surge past turnstiles, turning platforms into canals. In New Jersey, towns like Scotch Plains and North Plainfield saw water levels rise quickly, prompting water rescues and street shutdowns. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings across all five boroughs of NYC and surrounding counties as storm drains and sewer systems became overwhelmed.
“What happened last night is something that is a reality for our system,” said Janno Lieber, CEO of the MTA, who confirmed that rainfall overwhelmed the stormwater system, causing sewer backups and manhole geysers. “We had delays, shutdowns, and signal issues—but the system was back to normal by this morning.”
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NYC Subway Turns Into River During Rush Hour Chaos
Packed rush-hour trains came to an abrupt halt on Monday as severe thunderstorms dumped over an inch and a half of rain within the hour across Manhattan. On the uptown No. 1 line, Jessica Louise Dye, a 39-year-old musician, watched floodwaters erupt like a fountain inside the 28th Street station.
“I was like, great, of course, I should have just walked,” Dye told reporters.
Check out Jessica Louise Dye’s video! #TikTok https://t.co/nKexpZoCWa and tell me if New York City infrastructure doesn’t need an update. So far so good I am the only self sponsoring candidate talking infrastructure update. Vote SmithieForMayor. Vote for better life.
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Inside the train, water rushed in when the doors briefly opened. “The real New Yorkers were just on their phones, not caring,” she said. The conductor, attempting to maintain calm, reportedly announced: “Oh my God, it’s only Monday… I don’t get paid enough for this,” said Dye.
Juan Luis Landaeta, a passenger, said, “It was a disaster.”
Thank you all for your concern. I am fine, and everyone on the subway was fine. I have arrived home safely. Here are some more videos and images of what happened at the 28th Street station on the 1 train:@MTA @NYCMayorsOffice #NewYork #nyc pic.twitter.com/Diyflzfn0A
— Juan Luis Landaeta (@Landaeta) July 15, 2025
New Jersey Declares Emergency as Streets Resemble Rivers
Across the Hudson, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency, urging residents to stay indoors. “Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel,” Murphy posted on X. Areas of Union County faced life-threatening flooding, with videos from New Providence showing residents wading through waist-deep water.
Route 28 (between Mountain Avenue in Bridgewater and Warrenville Road in Dunellen) is also closed in both directions due to damage from flooding.
Please use alternate roads. https://t.co/Le3F8Y4LJ1
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 15, 2025
In Westchester County, north of NYC, emergency services responded to multiple calls about submerged vehicles. “There were numerous water rescues,” officials confirmed in a late-night statement.
Airports Delayed, Roads Submerged, and Transit Disrupted
Flight delays snarled operations at LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, and JFK airports. Ground stops were temporarily issued at LaGuardia and Newark. On the ground, the Cross Bronx Expressway and FDR Drive were both closed in parts due to standing water, adding to commuter woes.
The Staten Island Railway suspended service in both directions, and subway lines including the 1, 2, 3, E, M, and R faced “severe disruption,” according to NYC Transit.
BREAKING: Massive flooding right now in Plainfield, NJ.
Why are we having so many floods in America? Maybe it’s time we start taking climate change seriously!
Stay safe New Jersey! pic.twitter.com/yQJVatRsEw
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) July 15, 2025
Climate Anxiety Rising as Infrastructure Buckles Again
The flooding reignited debate over climate resilience and the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure.
“In a couple of cases it popped the manhole,” said Lieber. “That backup from the sewer system created the geyser condition. We’re working with the city to increase system capacity.”
Emergency Management warned those in basement apartments to be on high alert, citing the rapid and unpredictable nature of flash floods. “Keep a phone, flashlight, and Go Bag nearby. Be ready to move to higher ground,” the agency advised.
