Storm Rips Through New York, Sends US Open Spectators Scurrying

A severe late-summer storm swept through New York City on Saturday afternoon, sending spectators at the US Open and residents into the streets seeking cover as heavy rain, high winds and the threat of hail moved across the region.

All five New York City boroughs were placed under a thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. Saturday as forecasters warned of damaging winds in excess of 60 miles per hour, localized flash flooding and the possibility of hail "probably no bigger than maybe quarter-sized golf balls in extreme storms," according to Fox Weather meteorologist Cody Braud.

The storm followed one of the driest summers on record for the city and produced intense downpours in short periods. Officials estimated roughly an inch of rain could fall into Sunday as the system tracked through the area. Braud said the heaviest storms were expected to push through Saturday night but that some form of rain was likely to continue overnight into Sunday midday.

Scenes from streets near the U.S. Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens showed crowds seeking shelter under canopies and umbrellas as rain and gusts interrupted open-air activities. Event organizers and transit officials advised patrons to use caution when walking and to allow extra time for travel as wind-driven rain affected sidewalks and station entrances.

National Weather Service guidance highlighted the potential for localized flash flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas and urged residents to avoid driving through flooded roadways. Meteorologists noted that while hail was not expected to be widespread, it could be embedded within stronger cells. The combination of wind, rain and small hail posed a risk to outdoor gatherings and could cause travel disruptions.

By late afternoon, the storms were moving eastward across the metropolitan area. City agencies monitoring the situation stood by for reports of downed branches, scattered power outages or localized street flooding. Transit officials encouraged riders to check service alerts for possible delays.

Authorities did not immediately report major injuries tied to the storm, and the weather service stressed the hazard was primarily from strong winds, sudden heavy rainfall and brief bouts of hail. Officials advised residents and visitors to shelter in place during severe thunderstorm warnings and to heed local emergency information as conditions evolved into the evening and Sunday morning.