A purported clip, which has since gone viral on social media, showed a woman being carried away by violent currents amid an intense wave of flooding. (Photo: X/ @Raindropsmedia1)New York City has been hit by heavy rain and thunderstorms this week that led to flooding and downed trees in several boroughs of the city and left car drivers stranded atop their cars due to flash flooding, the New York Post reported.A purported clip, which has since gone viral on social media, showed a woman being carried away by violent currents amid an intense wave of flooding. The 15-second video showed the woman, wearing a pink top, getting swept away by flash floods as she got down from a bus.Woman got washed away in the NYC flood. pic.twitter.com/KFWwASKwYW— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) May 21, 2026Flood advisory issued as storms intensifyAs the heavy rain and flooding continued in New York City, the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for areas, including Staten Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, ABC News reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WhatIsNewYork (@whatisnewyork)Other clips on social media purportedly showed commuters being swept away off their feet and cars being overwhelmed as the rain and thunderstorm pushed wind to 60 miles per hour on Wednesday, the New York Post reported.Subway disruptions, road closures hit commutersThe heavy rainfall battered the public transport system as several subway services were disrupted.The I-495 in Fresh Meadows, the Grand Central Parkway eastbound lanes, and the Cross-Island Expressway in Bellerose were all shut, affecting commuters ‘ ability to reach home.Mamdani says sewer system is overwhelmed, cites long-term planNew York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday’s rainfall and thunderstorms, which flooded parts of Brooklyn and Queens, were so intense that the city’s sewer system has been overwhelmed.Mamdani visited the NYC neighbourhood of Hollis to check on the damage and said the drainage system is built to handle up to two inches per hour, but the area received way above that.Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said, “What needs to happen is you gotta raise these roads, which is complicated because if you raise the roads, you have to raise the homes.”Story continues below this adDetailing about the city’s investment, Mayor Mamdani said that NYC has invested millions of dollars in a 10-year plan, which is known as Cloudburst projects, which are sites that can hold excess water and hold it for at least 24 to 48 hours.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd