New York City was battered by intense rain and thunderstorms, forcing drivers to climb onto their cars as flash floods swept through the area.
Remarkable footage captured vehicles being inundated by the sudden downpour, with winds reaching speeds of up to 60 mph.
Charlton D’Souza, a Queens resident and the founder of the non-profit Passengers United, experienced the chaos firsthand while riding an MTA bus through Queens Village during his commute home.
“This is some of the worst flooding I’ve witnessed on Hempstead Ave,” D’Souza shared, as reported by Storyful.
The boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn were particularly hard hit, with CNN citing New York State Mesonet data showing two inches of rain falling in less than an hour.
In a dramatic scene, a Good Samaritan was spotted wading through floodwaters on the Jackie Robinson Parkway to rescue a driver who had taken refuge on the roof of their car.
Cops were forced to seal off an underpass near 78th Street when two cars were trapped in several feet of water, according to CBS.
“It was violent and it was very, very fast,” Christina Moloon told the outlet.
“The van almost floated away. It was, like, nuts.”
A driver in Fresh Meadows, Queens, likened the road to a “swimming pool” while Joe Conti said he couldn’t even open the doors of his vehicle because the water was too high.
The dramatic downpours forced schools to cancel extra-curricular activities.
Footage shared from Fulton Street, Brooklyn, showed two people standing on a bench at a bus shelter – while they were surrounded by rising floodwaters.
One woman was seen struggling with her shopping bags as she tried to walk home in Bushwick, while others were seen trying to guide water toward drains.
Scenes looked biblical in the Queens region of Hillside, Jamaica – with one X user saying the floods hit within a “span of 25 minutes.”
Lizzy, a Forest Hills resident, described the flash flooding as “dangerous.”
“Trains are down, had to wade through at least a foot of water to cross the street,” she wrote on X.
The downpours sparked widespread travel chaos – with F and J line services partially suspended.
The F Line was suspended at Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike Station and Jamaica-179 St Station, PIX11 reported.
Services on the E, M, R, and J trains saw timetable changes, and New Yorkers were urged to stay alert and take precautions as the thunderstorms ripped through.
“Call 911 if you are in immediate danger, trapped by rising water, or see a life-threatening situation,” NYC Emergency Management officials said.
“If you hear thunder, go inside. Damaging winds are the primary hazard we are monitoring tonight. Move into a sturdy building, stay away from windows, and go to an interior room.
“Avoid rooftops, balconies, porches, glass doors, plumbing, and electrical equipment. If thunderstorm warnings are issued, stay in your safe indoor location.”
New Yorkers who live in low-lying areas were told to move to higher ground if they see floodwater.
“Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater,” emergency management officials said.
The wet weather comes just days before the Memorial Day weekend, which is set to be chilly compared to recent temperatures.
On Wednesday, temperatures reached highs of 93 degrees, but on Saturday, the mercury will dip to 57.
Scattered showers are forecast for Sunday and the mercury could only hit 68 on Memorial Day, according to NBC4.
Those thinking about heading outdoors Sunday were advised to think again — with forecasters warning it’s not set to be a day for the beach.
