State of Emergency Declared in NYC as Flooding Halts LIRR Train and Submerges Queens Expressway

July 31, 2025 — QUEENS, NY

A state of emergency was declared in New York City on Thursday as torrential storms and flash flooding caused widespread disruption, halting a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train in Queens and submerging vehicles on the Clearview Expressway.

The LIRR train, filled with passengers, came to a stop after floodwaters consumed the tracks. FDNY emergency responders and MTA police were seen wading through murky water to assist and eventually evacuate passengers once the downpour eased. Parts of the track were no longer visible due to the flooding, complicating rescue efforts.

Jessica Grant, a Stony Brook resident, was returning home from a trip to Lake George when her train was stopped.
“I was scared at first. About like 15 minutes after we stopped on the tracks, all the lights went off,” Grant said. “That’s when I got a little scared and went ‘oh boy, something’s going on.’”

Another passenger, identified only as Jude, described her medical concerns during the ordeal.
“It’s still scary. I don’t have depth perception and I have double vision. It’s scary, and it was getting hot,” Jude said.

Meanwhile, over on the Clearview Expressway in Queens, floodwaters trapped multiple vehicles including a semi-truck and SUV. Authorities said some cars were nearly fully submerged. Video from the scene showed an SUV stranded under an overpass with its trunk open, and an 18-wheeler with water reaching its cab doors. In one clip, a pickup truck was seen hauling a smaller vehicle through water that appeared to be over three feet deep in spots.

Emergency crews were deployed across the borough to assist trapped commuters and motorists as officials urged residents to avoid travel during the storm. The flooding led to major delays, road closures, and mass transit interruptions during the evening rush hour.