New York City experienced significant flash flooding, inundating cars, streets, and even the subway system just before the World Cup Final. Videos shared on social media showcased the widespread impact of the flooding, capturing commuters and drivers navigating through the challenging conditions in various boroughs.
Witnesses described the situation as people resorting to swimming in the flooded areas. Footage posted by Instagram account @subwaycreatures and creator Taylor Prokes depicted individuals making their way through waterlogged neighborhoods, with some using garbage bags as makeshift protection.
The severe weather disrupted travel on Saturday, leading to water entering subway stations and causing traffic standstills as roads became submerged. Major roadways such as the Long Island Expressway and Clearview Expressway experienced temporary closures due to flooding, with multiple vehicles submerged on elevated road sections, requiring pedestrians to navigate through waist-high water.
The adverse weather conditions resulted in significant delays at airports like John F. Kennedy International, with reports of flight cancellations. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority faced major service disruptions across the subway network as tracks were affected by the flooding.
Amid the storm, former England goalkeeper Joe Hart shared a video on Instagram showing him walking barefoot through the flooded streets, lamenting the damage to his trainers. The inclement weather also impacted the preparations of the teams competing in the World Cup Final, with Argentina facing delays in their practice session due to a thunderstorm.
Despite the weather challenges, Argentina managed to train at the Red Bulls Performance Center, while Spain encountered difficulties in conducting their practice. The World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina was scheduled for 8 am UK time, with both teams adjusting their preparations due to the disruptive weather conditions.