# NYC braces for a 4 a.m. flood

> A Flood Watch lands on New York City overnight, with the worst rain arriving while most people are asleep.
- Title: NYC braces for a 4 a.m. flood · ABC7 New York | Shortify
- Summary: A Flood Watch lands on New York City overnight, with the worst rain arriving while most people are asleep. If you live below street level in eastern Brooklyn…
- Keywords: flooding, nyc weather, flash flood, emergency prep, basement apartments, news, local, NYC, braces, flood, ABC7 New York
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/post/flood-watch-issued-nyc-heavy-rain-set-move-overnight/19824471
- Published: 2026-09-12T22:01:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: flooding, nyc weather, flash flood, emergency prep, basement apartments, news, local
## Flood Watch, 4 a.m. to noon
The National Weather Service put New York City under a Flood Watch for Sunday, Sept. 13, from 4 a.m. through midday. Emergency Management is telling residents to get ready Saturday night.
## 51 schools open overnight
The city opens 51 safe overnight locations at public schools from 10 p.m. Saturday, aimed at people in basement and below-grade apartments. Service animals and pets are allowed.
## Worst window: 5 to 10 a.m.
Rain starts in the early morning and runs through midday. Forecasts have climbed since Friday, and the city now sits at Slight Risk, Level 2 of 4, for excessive rainfall.
## One and a half to three inches
Expect 1.5 to 3 inches across the city, less on Staten Island and the west side, more toward the east. Eastern Brooklyn and Queens could see higher local totals.
## Long Island gets it worse
Nassau, Suffolk and southern Connecticut could pick up 5 to 7 inches. Forecasters will not rule out those totals creeping into the eastern edge of the city.
## Two inches in an hour
Rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are likely, and the strongest storms could drop 2 to 2.5 inches in sixty minutes. That is enough to swamp drains, underpasses and highway dips.

> Heavy rain can overwhelm streets and drainage systems in minutes
## Know your exits before bed
Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked basement residents to plan their route to a higher floor before sleeping, and drivers to leave early and never cross a flooded street.

> Never drive through a flooded street.
## Turn your alerts on
Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 and keep your phone volume up overnight. Basement tenants can sign up at nyc.gov/notify and pick the basement option for automated flood calls.

> Do not wait until you see water rising to make a plan.
## Clear again by afternoon
The rain shifts east by midday and no tornado threat is expected. An evening front brings light showers, plus a moderate rip current risk at ocean beaches. Call 911 if you are in danger.
## Key takeaway

If you live below street level in eastern Brooklyn or Queens, decide tonight where you will go, because the heaviest rain hits between 5 and 10 a.m. while you are asleep.