News / Travel Advisories

Flash floods in New York region disrupt air travel

Michael Pihach

07-15-2025 7:10 am

Michael Pihach

Michael Pihach is an award-winning journalist with a keen interest in digital storytelling. In addition to PAX, Michael has also written for CBC Life, Ryerson University Magazine, IN Magazine, and DailyXtra.ca. Michael joins PAX after years of working at popular Canadian television shows, such as Steven and Chris, The Goods and The Marilyn Denis Show.

Flash floods swept through New York City on Monday night (July 14), prompting New Jersey to declare a state of emergency as powerful storms drenched the Northeast.

A flood warning was issued across all five boroughs of New York City, where residents captured dramatic scenes of water surging into subway stations.

Local media and social media posts showed cars submerged in floodwaters in Westchester County, torrents rushing down subway stairs, and platforms overwhelmed by incoming water.

City officials advised New Yorkers to stay safe and take precautions as intense afternoon thunderstorms unleashed heavy rainfall throughout the region.

The storms reportedly forced at least six East Coast airports—including New York City's JFK and LaGuardia airports, along with New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport – to ground flights on Monday, resulting in major delays and significant disruptions to travellers' plans.

Philadelphia International, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside D.C. also had flights grounded, report say.

By 8:30 p.m. local time, some of the ground stops had been lifted, but the FAA continued to report delays ranging from 45 minutes to three hours.

Cancellations roll into Tuesday

According to FlightAware, 195 flights were cancelled at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Monday, or 34 per cent of its entire schedule.

At Newark airport (EWR), 183 flights were cancelled, representing 29 per cent of its schedule; Ronald Reagan airport (DCA) saw 131 cancellations, and John F. Kennedy airport (JFK) had 126 cancellations.

By Tuesday morning, flight cancellations were still being reported, with Newark experiencing the highest number (73 cancellations as of 7:30 a.m. EST).

“Please check with your airline to determine the status of your flight,” the airport wrote on it X social media platform in the early morning.

The U.S. National Weather Service said heavy rain would persist along the eastern seaboard on Tuesday, although clearer skies were anticipated over New York.

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