Fast-moving severe thunderstorms crashed the late-afternoon commute across Manhattan and The Bronx on Wednesday, triggering emergency alerts and sending New Yorkers scrambling for cover. City channels and social posts lit up with radar grabs of storm cells racing through the boroughs, with the potential for damaging wind and hail right in the middle of peak travel time. Officials urged people to avoid unnecessary trips and wait out the line of storms indoors.
NWS bulletin and radar updates
The National Weather Service in Upton issued a severe thunderstorm warning that covered Manhattan, The Bronx and several adjacent counties, stating that radar indicated gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to three-quarters of an inch. The agency warned that those storms could damage trees and power lines and advised people to move indoors and away from windows, according to the National Weather Service.
City alerts and social posts
City alert service NotifyNYC pushed out an urgent message saying the warning applied to Manhattan and The Bronx and listing hazards that included 70-mph winds and 1-inch-diameter hail until 5:15 p.m. The notice was reshared by the office of City Comptroller Mark Levine; see that share via the Office of NYC Comptroller Mark Levine on X. The city’s official alert page, NotifyNYC, includes translations, ASL access and preparedness tips such as charging phones and avoiding unnecessary travel while storms are active.
What to expect and how to stay safe
The NWS told New Yorkers, "For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building," and cautioned that large hail and damaging wind could bring down trees and cause localized power outages, per the National Weather Service. If you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees or metal structures, and if you are driving, slow down and be prepared for sudden heavy rain that can reduce visibility and lead to hydroplaning.
Where to get official updates
New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for NotifyNYC alerts or check the city’s recent notifications for updates and resources in multiple languages and ASL, according to NotifyNYC. For live radar and forecast details, officials advise checking trusted weather channels before heading out into the storm.
