Strong storms dumped heavy rain on New York City Thursday afternoon, July 31st, causing flash flooding across streets and highways. The flooding hit Queens especially hard, trapping a semi truck and several other vehicles on the Clearview Expressway.

The details: Firefighters and NYPD rushed to the scene around 2:45 p.m. after reports of people stuck inside flooded vehicles. Photos from highway cameras showed water reaching nearly to the cab doors of the 18-wheeler and submerging several cars.

• The Clearview Expressway at Northern Boulevard was shut down in both directions while emergency crews responded.
• At least two passenger vehicles were almost completely underwater. One SUV was stranded with its trunk open, and a sedan was half-submerged with its doors open wide.

Thankfully, everyone trapped inside the vehicles was able to get out safely, according to reports from FDNY.

What's next: New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City and New Jersey due to the ongoing downpours, with up to five inches of rain possible in some neighborhoods, reported the New York Post.

The Clearview Expressway will stay closed near Northern Boulevard until the floodwaters recede and the vehicles can be removed.