The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flood Watch for New York City, northeastern New Jersey and southern Westchester County, warning of heavy rain, persistent downpours and some thunderstorms during the early morning and morning hours of Sunday, September 13, 2026.
The watch is in effect for New York City and northeastern New Jersey from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, according to local outlets Pix11 and Gothamist. Southern Westchester is also under watch during the early morning and morning hours. Long Island's watch starts later, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the location of the heaviest downpours depending on how a warm front moves through during the morning.
Forecasters said the rain would move from west to east after midnight, with the most critical period beginning around 2 a.m. across the five boroughs, northeastern New Jersey and southern Westchester. People working night shifts in restaurants, hospitals, bodegas, warehouses, delivery services and stores were advised to check conditions before heading out.
The NWS warned that some storm cells could dump large amounts of water in just a few minutes, a combination that tends to cause problems in low-lying areas, avenues with slow drainage, highway access points, train stations and subway points exposed to leaks.
How much rain is expected
The official forecast calls for average accumulations of 1 to 2 inches, or roughly 25 to 51 millimeters, across most of the region, though the distribution will not be even and some neighborhoods could see higher totals.
NWS models point to the possibility of more than 3 inches falling within three hours in isolated spots of northeastern New Jersey, New York City and western Long Island, with the risk rising wherever the most persistent bands of showers overlap.
During the most intense episodes, rain rates could approach 2 inches per hour, a volume that can quickly overwhelm sewers and drainage systems, particularly in neighborhoods with large amounts of concrete, parking lots and paved roads. A short but concentrated storm can flood an intersection, complicate access to a highway or affect an underground station before the drainage system has time to respond.
Areas under the watch
In New York City, the advisory covers all five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn (Kings County), Manhattan (New York County), Queens and Staten Island (Richmond County), along with parts of southern Westchester.
In New Jersey, the watch extends to parts of Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson and Union counties, as well as other sectors in the northeastern part of the state.
Residents of Washington Heights, Corona, Jackson Heights, Sunset Park, Bushwick, the Bronx, Union City, West New York, Paterson, Newark, Elizabeth and Jersey City were told not to assume conditions will be the same across the metro area, since one neighborhood could see moderate rain while another faces a downpour capable of flooding streets within minutes. Additional risk exists near streams, rivers, underpasses and road crossings where water tends to pool during these events.
Sunday's forecast
Sunday is expected to begin with unstable conditions across the metro area, including precipitation, periods of high intensity and the possibility of lightning during the early morning and first hours of the day. The most active part of the system should move away gradually after the morning, although adverse weather could persist longer toward Long Island and coastal Connecticut.
Airports including John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and Teterboro could see reduced visibility and possible operational disruptions while the heaviest downpours are moving through. The National Weather Service is the federal agency responsible for issuing weather forecasts and warnings across the United States.
The front is expected to clear out after Sunday, and Monday should bring drier conditions with more sun and temperatures closer to typical September values.
Safety recommendations
New York City officials recommended preparing in advance, especially for residents of basement apartments or homes that have flooded during past storms. Suggested precautions include checking official alerts before going out, activating Notify NYC notifications, and identifying a quick route to an upper floor for those living in basements.
Authorities also advised against walking or driving through a flooded street even if the water looks shallow, entering subway stations with visible water buildup, or trying to cross a flooded underpass. Drivers were told to avoid flooded streets altogether, since the water can hide potholes, downed wires or stalled vehicles. Residents were urged to keep their phones charged and a flashlight on hand, and to check for updates from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NJ Transit, the Port Authority and area airports before traveling. Anyone who sees a downed power line was told to stay away and report it immediately.
Officials noted that flooding can escalate quickly: six inches of moving water can knock a person down, while one to two feet can carry away a vehicle.
In an immediate emergency, residents were told to call 911. Those seeking city information can check Notify NYC or call 311.
