New York City experienced severe flash floods, causing widespread water inundation in streets and subway stations just prior to the World Cup Final. Videos shared on social media depicted the extensive disruption, showcasing individuals navigating through flooded areas in various boroughs.
Witnesses described the situation as people swimming in the flooded streets, with images showing residents using makeshift protection like garbage bags to traverse knee-deep water in the city. The extreme weather conditions on Saturday led to travel chaos, as subway stations were flooded, causing traffic standstills and lane closures on major expressways.
The Long Island Expressway and Clearview Expressway faced temporary closures due to flooding, while some vehicles were submerged on a roadway above the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, requiring pedestrians to navigate through waist-high water. Airports, including John F. Kennedy International, experienced delays and cancellations due to the adverse weather.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported significant service disruptions in the subway network as a result of water runoff onto the tracks. Notable figures, such as former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, shared videos of the flooded conditions, highlighting the challenges posed by the storm.
Despite the weather disruptions, the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina was scheduled to take place, affecting the teams’ preparation schedules. Argentina faced a delay in their training session at the Red Bulls Performance Center in Morristown, New Jersey, while Spain encountered difficulties in accessing the field due to the weather conditions.