A Queens highway was left underwater, trapping a semi-truck and other vehicles, on Thursday afternoon as torrential rain stormed into the area — prompting Gov. Hochul to declare a state of emergency for the Big Apple.
Shocking footage of the flooding on parts of the Clearview Expressway, near Northern Boulevard, were posted on X and the highway was subsequently closed in both directions, according to the NYPD.
Photos circulating on social media, captured from a traffic cam, show at least two cars nearly fully submerged in waters that rise to the door of an 18-wheel truck that appears to be stalled out.
It’s unclear if the trapped vehicles were occupied.
Heavy thunderstorms rolled into the New York City-area on Thursday afternoon and forecasts predicted widespread flooding and as much as 5 inches of rain in parts of the region.
Hochul declared a state of emergency as the skies opened up.
“Heavy rain and potential flooding are expected to affect the evening commute. Employers are encouraged to dismiss employees early,” the governor wrote on X.
