Nearly 1,000 flights were cancelled on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport due to severe storms impacting New York City and surrounding regions.
Heavy Rain and Flood Watches Span Northeast
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, much of Connecticut, northern New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania as slow-moving thunderstorms sweep across these areas. Forecasters predicted rainfall totals between 2 and 5 inches in many locations, with isolated downpours dropping 2 to 3 inches within a single hour. Parts of the Catskills were expected to receive 6
to 8 inches of rain within hours. The US Weather Prediction Center designated New York City, Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson region under a moderate risk of excessive rainfall.
Flight Operations Severely Disrupted at Major NYC Airports
The severe storms caused extensive operational disruptions at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Nearly 1,000 flights were cancelled across the three airports as airlines reacted to the heavy rainfall and associated flash flooding threats. Officials indicated that additional cancellations and delays could occur as the storm system continues to move through the New York metropolitan area.
Officials Issue Warnings and Travel Advisories
New York State, led by Governor Kathy Hochul, announced a prolonged rain event beginning Tuesday
that would cause heavy rains and flash flooding. Hochul urged residents to monitor forecasts and avoid driving through flooded roadways, emphasizing, “When in doubt, turn around, don’t drown.” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for preparations against dangerous weather and possible flash flooding. The New York City Emergency Management Department advised people to allow extra travel time and avoid flood-prone areas, warning that streets, underpasses, and neighborhoods could become rapidly inundated.
Storm System’s Earlier Impact and Regional Flood Risk
The weather system responsible for the disruptions originated in the Midwest, where it generated multiple tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail earlier in the week, causing power outages
affecting hundreds of thousands of customers. Officials noted New York’s heightened vulnerability to heavy rains, citing deadly flooding from Hurricane Ida’s remnants in 2021 as context for increased caution during the current prolonged rain event.
