Hour-by-hour radar breakdown as heavy rain brings flash flooding threat to tri-state

Intense afternoon and evening storms threaten to bring flash flooding to the tri-state Monday, with the sudden and heavy downpours potentially leading to flooded roads and dangerous conditions for drivers.

Flash flood warnings were issued for different counties in and around New York City starting after 3 p.m., including:

All of New York City and Nassau County on Long Island until 9:45 p.m.
Orange County in New York until 8:45 p.m.; Rockland and Westchester counties until 9:30 p.m.
Warren County in New Jersey until 9:30 p.m.; Bergen and Hudson counties in New Jersey until 9:45 p.m.; Essex, Morris and Union counties until 10 p.m.
Hunterdon, Mercer and Somerset counties until 10:30 p.m.; Middlesex and Monmouth counties until 11:15 p.m.
Fairfield County in Connecticut until 9:15 p.m.

Rainfall rates could exceed 1-2 inches per hour in some of the heaviest downpours. There were multiple reports of flooding causing roads to close throughout the region, including the southbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County, as well as all lanes of the Sprain Brook Parkway in Mount Pleasant.

In Rockland County, a woman had to be rescued after her car got stuck in floodwaters on Van Orden Avenue in Spring Valley. There was also a report of up to two feet of water on an impassable roadway under an overpass near the Suffern train station.

There reports of flooding on Route 22 and Route 27 in New Jersey — where hours later, Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency, instructing residents to “stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel” in the state. A vehicle was also stranded in flood waters on Saint Georges Avenue in Rahway, according to reports.

A flash flood watch will remain in effect through the evening for much of the region.

For those taking mass transit, the MTA said downtown E trains were running with severe delays. M and R trains were rerouted from Queens to Manhattan, with the MTA suggesting riders take F, N, W or 7 trains instead. On Metro-North, service on the New Haven and Harlem lines was delayed due to flooding.

NJ Transit said there were weather-related delays as well, with buses accepted rail tickets and passes. Service along the River Line and North Jersey Coast Line had suspensions in both directions.

If the downpours linger over a particular area for an extended period, flash flooding is likely. For those driving home during the evening commute, be extra cautious if it’s raining heavily.

If you encounter a water-covered stretch of road, do not attempt to drive through it. The water is likely deeper than it seems.

Here is a depiction of the hour-by-hour forecast map for what to expect:

9 p.m.: