Explore More

New Yorkers woke up Friday morning to a drenching downpour that is expected to continue into Saturday, bringing potentially dangerous flash flooding and soaking the greater tri-state area with up to 7 inches of rain.

The rainfall is set to intensify around 8 and 9 a.m., making a mess of the morning commute, and continuing through the afternoon and into the evening hours as people head home from work and school.

The National Weather Service extended a flood watch for the area from 2 a.m. Friday through the night as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia are expected to inundate the five boroughs along with Long Island and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.

Much of the region, including the five boroughs, is expected to get between 3 and 5 inches of rain — with some areas further out getting up to 7 inches, the service predicted.

Much of the region, including the five boroughs, is expected to get between 3 and 5 inches of rain — with some areas further out getting up to 7 inches, the service predicted. Stephen Yang
The rain was expected to begin around 2 a.m. Friday and continue through 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the NWS. Getty Images

Heavy and fast downpours of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible, intensifying the risk of flash flooding — and likely affecting New Yorkers’ commutes whether they travel by subway or drive.

The rain will finally begin to lighten up by Friday night but will linger into the first half of the day on Saturday, Fox Weather meteorologist Greg Diamond told The Post.

The Big Apple and surrounding areas have been hit with several days of rain since last weekend, which is expected to make the flooding worse.

The tri-state region is expected to get between 2 and 5 inches of rain with some localized areas getting up to 7 inches. FOX Weather
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the five boroughs and Long Island as well as parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. FOX Weather
Water crashes on a pier on Coney Island after Tropical Storm Ophelia hit the area last weekend. Eric Kowalsky/MEGA

“The wet days that we had recently are leading to a higher risk for flooding,” Diamond said.

Residents in the affected areas should be cautious of street flooding and expect road closures.

The MTA also warned that the subway system will “inevitably” be impacted by the precipitation running down into the subway stations.

Flooding is expected to impact roads and subways, making for a messy commute Friday. Getty Images
Rain in the New York area has caused multiple delays, a postponement, and a play suspension during the Mets’ series against the Marlins this week. AP

The authority will activate its 24-hour situation room to monitor conditions and make repairs as needed throughout the storm.

“This is a serious storm, and we’re taking it seriously,” MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in a statement. “We have a detailed plan in place to protect our network and deliver safe service throughout the storm. MTA crews have been deployed at strategic locations so they can respond quickly.”

The transit agency will send out its fleet of emergency response equipment, including trucks, pumps and pump trains to remove water from flooded underground stations and tracks.

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7j3Jma3Bfo8akecyasGarlZp6dXnIp5qhnaNivKd50Zqgp2WjnrSvtcWimpqmpGKzrbvOnaCnn12bv6qwwLJm