Wild images show how streets across New York City were almost turned into gushing rivers as parts of the Empire State were pummeled by heavy rain.
Scores of commuters were snarled in Queens and Brooklyn on Thursday evening, while parts of Long Island saw 2.87 inches of rain thanks to the deluge, Pix11 reported.
Rows of cars were backed up on the Long Island Expressway Thursday night and FDNY officers were up to their ankles in water as they waded across the freeway.
The Long Island Expressway was closed in both directions at Francis Lewis Boulevard, NYCEM revealed just before 7:30 p.m. Thursday night. Drivers were urged to consider alternative routes.
Other videos showed one driver desperately trying to push their gray stalled Mercedes on 188th Street, while floodwaters in Brooklyn looked ferocious.
Some even clambered onto the roof of their cars just so their feet would be kept dry.
Drains in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn were overwhelmed by the intense deluge that came down in a matter of minutes.
Meanwhile in New Jersey, one stranded driver in Newark had to be dragged to safety on a life raft, video seen by Freedom News shows.
Others were up to their knees in floodwater as they tentatively made their way to a nearby tree to clutch onto.
Drivers were warned to expect the deluge. A level 3/4 flash flood risk was issued for central and northern New Jersey and New York City for Thursday afternoon.
A tornado watch was also in place for more than 15 million people, affecting Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Virginia.
Delays affected commuters on the A, C, and E subway services early Friday but these have now been resolved.
