Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Disrupt New York City Amid Smoky Skies and Extreme Heat Following days of smoky skies and dangerously high temperatures, New York City and surrounding areas were hit by intense thunderstorms, downpours, and flash flooding on Saturday. The National Weather Service reported two to four inches of rain fell by early afternoon, with up to an inch per hour expected, prompting a flood watch for all five boroughs of New York City, southern Westchester County, and northeast New Jersey through 2 a.m. Sunday. Officials warned that the flooding could lead to significant disruptions, including basement flooding, transportation delays, and water rescues. The heaviest rainfall was concentrated in lower Manhattan and western Brooklyn and Queens, according to city emergency management officials. Residents in basement apartments were advised to relocate to higher floors to avoid potential water ingress. Jeremy Edwards, a spokesperson for Mayor Zohran Mamdani, emphasized that the storm event was far from over, urging residents and visitors to remain cautious and prioritize safety. The storm’s impact extended to major events and infrastructure. The Yankees-Dodgers game in the Bronx, originally scheduled for Saturday, was rescheduled for Sunday as part of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, as announced by Major League Baseball. Meanwhile, the downpours caused widespread flight delays and cancellations at LaGuardia, Kennedy, and Newark airports, which were under ground stops Saturday evening. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the disruptions as the World Cup final match in New Jersey approached. In New Jersey, torrential rains triggered flash flood warnings across several counties.#national_weather_service #new_york_city #mayor_zohran_mamdani #newark_public_safety_director_emmanuel_miranda #new_york_governor_kathy_hochul
NYC Midtown Buildings Evacuated After Construction Workers Discover Buckling Columns A high-rise construction site in Midtown Manhattan was evacuated after workers discovered buckling columns, prompting officials to warn of a potential collapse. The incident occurred at 235 E. 42nd St., a 1970s-era office building being converted into luxury apartments, located near the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal. Construction workers first noticed cracks inside the structure around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and observed structural support columns beginning to buckle on the 21st and 22nd floors. The FDNY confirmed the workers self-evacuated, leading to the caving of floors 21 to 26 in the 37-story building. Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as "extremely serious," emphasizing the building's instability. Structural engineers and a team of six officials entered the building to assess the damage, using elevators to reach the 17th floor and then walking floor by floor, with the latest check reaching the 31st floor by 4:30 p.m. Despite initial movement in the columns, officials reported no further shifts by that time. Fire Department Chief John Esposito noted the steel columns had begun to "bend and deflect," though he clarified the collapse would likely be localized rather than total. The evacuation extended to multiple nearby buildings, including 210 East 43rd Street, 212 East 43rd Street, and others in the area. A nearby school, the Kennedy International School, which housed 400 children in a summer camp, was also evacuated. The Israeli Consulate at 800 Second Avenue was evacuated as a precaution. Streets between First and Third avenues, from 40th to 45th Streets, were closed to both pedestrians and vehicles, creating a "frozen zone" for safety.#mayor_zohran_mamdani #nyc_midtown #chrysler_building #grand_central_terminal #fire_department_chief_john_esposito
NYPD confirms suspicious device near Gracie Mansion was non-threatening New York City police have confirmed that a suspicious device discovered near Gracie Mansion was determined to be non-threatening after a swift response by law enforcement. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, following a similar attack days earlier when two men hurled homemade explosives during protests outside the residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Authorities have linked the recent incident to an act of “ISIS-inspired terrorism,” citing a prior attack that left the area under lockdown. The NYPD issued a social media statement emphasizing that the public’s vigilance in reporting the device was critical. “This was an instance of everyday New Yorkers following a clear message: if you see something, say something,” the department posted. Mayor Mamdani echoed this sentiment, thanking officers and bomb squad members for their quick actions in securing the area. He confirmed the device was found in Carl Schurz Park, adjacent to Gracie Mansion, and reiterated that it posed no safety risk. The suspicious device was reported on the Upper East Side, prompting the closure of East End Avenue between East 85th and East 87th Streets, as well as East 86th Street between York Avenue and East End Avenue. Carl Schurz Park was also temporarily closed. While it remains unclear if the incident was connected to Saturday’s protests, the FBI confirmed that a storage unit in Pennsylvania, believed to be linked to the earlier attack, contained explosive residue. Special agents and bomb squads conducted a controlled detonation to ensure public safety, with collaboration from the FBI Philadelphia field office and local agencies. The FBI’s statement highlighted the importance of such measures in mitigating potential threats.#isis #mayor_zohran_mamdani #nypd #gracie_mansion #carl_schurz_park
Two men have been charged with terrorism-related offenses after attempting to detonate homemade explosives outside the New York City mayor’s residence during an anti-Islam protest. The suspects, 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, allegedly aimed to carry out an attack inspired by the Islamic State group (IS), with one of them claiming the planned attack would be "even larger" than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Authorities reported that the pair attempted to detonate two explosive devices near Gracie Mansion, the home of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. A third bomb was discovered in their vehicle. The incident occurred during a protest, though none of the explosives activated. Footage showed one suspect being detained moments after lighting one of the devices, which failed to explode. Balat and Kayumi face charges including attempting to provide material support to IS and using a weapon of mass destruction. During their arrest, Balat allegedly made statements expressing allegiance to IS and calling for the death of nonbelievers. He also reportedly expressed hope that the attack would surpass the Boston Marathon bombing in scale, despite the 2013 incident resulting in three deaths and hundreds of injuries. In a statement, New York City Police Commissioner Andrea Tisch emphasized the potential devastation of such devices, noting that the explosives used contained triacetone triperoxide—a volatile homemade compound linked to previous terror attacks. She praised officers who responded to the threat, highlighting their bravery in neutralizing the devices without hesitation. The suspects were detained following their first court appearance, where a federal magistrate ordered their continued detention until a hearing on 8 April.#new_york_city #emir_balat #ibrahim_kayumi #mayor_zohran_mamdani #andrea_tisch
