A fast-moving storm on May 20, 2026, dumped intense rainfall on parts of Brooklyn and Queens, causing flash flooding that swamped some streets and disrupted transit in New York City.
Heavy downpours on May 20 prompted flash flooding in several neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, with some roadways becoming difficult to pass as water pooled quickly in low-lying areas.
Transit service was also affected as stormwater spilled into parts of the subway system, prompting delays and disruption while crews worked to clear water from affected areas.
The city’s combined sewer and drainage network can be overwhelmed during extremely intense rainfall. City environmental officials have said the system is generally designed to handle roughly 1.5 to 1.75 inches of rain per hour, meaning short bursts of heavier rain can outpace drainage and back up onto streets.
Flood-related subway delays have become a recurring problem during the era of heavier cloudbursts: a Washington Post analysis of MTA service alerts found subway service was disrupted by flooding at least 75 times between January 2020 and September 2025.
