The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for July 18 until 3.30 p.m. for The Bronx, Queens, Manhattan Southeastern Bergen and Southern Westchester and a severe flash flood warning until 6 p.m.

 

The thunderstorm was located over Riverdale / Norwood in The Bronx around 3.05 p.m. and moved east at 30 mph. Gust winds of up to 60 mph and hail of 0.75 inches may cause a hazard, according to a NWS radar.

 

INWS officials said residents should expect damage to trees and power lines.

 

The storm was expected to be near Flushing by around 3.10 p.m., by Yonkers and Throggs Neck Bridge by around 3.15 p.m., and  by New Rochelle and Bayside around 3.20 p.m.

 

NWS officials said, “For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.”

 

They added, “Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”

 

NWS later issued a separate flash flood warning for The Bronx, Manhattan, Southern Westchester County, Southern Fairfield County in southern Connecticut, and Southeastern Bergen County in northeastern New Jersey which is in place until 6 p.m.

 

Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas is expected according to NWS.

 

NWS officials said a flash flood warning remains in effect until 4.30 p.m. in The Bronx, Manhattan, Southern Westchester, Southern Fairfield and Southeastern Bergen County. “Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen,” officials said. “Additional rainfall amounts of one to two inches are possible in the warned area.”

 

They added that life-threatening flash flooding was already occurring caused by the thunderstorms and the damage threat was considerable. ‘Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Yonkers, Stamford, New Rochelle, White Plains, East Tremont, Port Chester, Rye, Dobbs Ferry, Harlem, Greenwich, Riverdale, Co-op City, Fort Lee, Harrison, Scarsdale, Bronxville, Hawthorne, City Island, Mount Vernon and Eastchester.

 

NWS officials instructed residents to turn around, if traveling. “Don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Excessive run-off from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, as well as other drainage areas and low-lying spots.”

 

They added, “Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely.”

 

A separate sewage discharge warning was issued for 19 Alexander Street, Yonkers, NY which officials said would impact the Hudson River for four hours. Officials said and estimated 1,000,000 gallons of sewage, partially treated with disinfection is expected to be discharged as a result of the weather event. For more information on the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Act visit SPRTK.

NWS later said all lanes on the Major Deegan Expressway, approaching 230th Street, are blocked as of 4.15 p.m.