Alert – Flash floods trigger travel misery as hundreds of flights are canceled or delayed: Live updates

Hundreds of flights across the East Coast were canceled or delayed Thursday night, with LaGuardia Airport in New York City canceling 158 of its outgoing flights and 169 of its inbound flights.

Another 189 outgoing flights and 137 incoming flights were delayed, according to Flight Aware, a website that tracks flights across the country.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in DC experienced the second most cancelations and delays, with 138 outgoing flights and 121 incoming flights canceled. Another 133 outgoing flights and 116 incoming flights were delayed.

Newark Liberty International Airport also canceled 110 outgoing flights and 115 incoming flights, as 174 outgoing flights and 164 incoming flights were delayed.

A tree fell onto the wires above the tracks for the New Jersey transit, causing at least 30-minute delays on the Morris & Essex Line.

Massive flooding has extended to Long Island, with video showing cars submerged on the Long Island Expressway.

Video shared online showed rainwater spewing out of the walls at one subway station during the evening commute.

The video was taken at the 7th Avenue station in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

A video posted online by Chantal McLaughlin shows how badly Grand Central Station was getting flooded.

She explained that the video was taken on a 3:51 pm departure on the Hudson Line train.

In a video posted to social media, New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged residents who live in basement apartments to 'move now.'

'Don’t drive. Roadways are flooding, and crews are responding,' he said as he issued a state of emergency.

'If you live in a basement apartment, and haven’t yet moved to higher ground, move now.'

He added that the city is expecting to see three inches of rain, though some areas may see even more.

Images shared online showed drivers sitting on top of their cars in Bayside, Queens, as floodwaters rush through the area.

At least four drivers had to be rescued from the flooding, according to Gothamist.

The MTA is experiencing delays along the A, D, E, B, F and C lines as New Yorkers attempt to navigate rush hour during torrential rain.

The MTA advises commuters to use caution while traveling on stairs and platforms, give yourself extra time and check service status before you go.

Images shared on social media showed several cars submerged in water in Staten Island.

New Jersey Transit has suspended service in both directions along the Gladstone Brance service due to the weather conditions.

New York City Emergency Management annoucned Northbound FDR Drive is closed at East Houston Street in Manhattan due to flooding.

Gov. Josh Shapiro warned residents of excessive rainfall and flash floods on Thursday, as neighboring New Jersey is under a state of emergency.

About 25 million Americans across New York and New Jersey are under a state of emergency as severe storms move through the area.

Up to seven inches of rain are forecasted for the area bringing the risks of flash flooding.

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber told NBC New York that his agency is concerned about flooding on the 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue lines (the 1/2/3 and the A/C/E lines, respectively) because the curb height is so low.

He explained that the low curb height means if there is water on the street, it will rush into those stations.

NYC's Department of Environmental Protection has 50 specialized trucks that clear 150,000 catch basins across the five boroughs, and those basins can get packed with soggy sewage that can clog the system, exacerbating the flooding, according to the outlet.

Experts advise evacuating and getting to higher ground in case of a flash flood.

'Before leaving, secure your home by locking it. If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding,' the National Weather Service said.

'Impacted residents are urged to avoid their basements or any submerged areas with electrical cords or outlets to avoid an electrical accident.

'If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, evacuate immediately. Avoid any water that may be charged with electricity.

'Never attempt to walk through floodwaters. Even just six inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.'

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that a major thunderstorm system bringing life-threatening flooding has shut down flights in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

Major travel hubs, including LaGuardia Airport, Newark-Liberty International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport have all announced ground stops until at least 5pm ET.

Other major airports, including John F Kennedy International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, have announced ground delays lasting until at least early Friday morning.

The airport chaos has led to flight delays of more than three hours at New York's JFK Airport and New Jersey's Newark Airport.

The Yankees were up 7-4 against divisional rivals the Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth inning when a rain delay was called at around 2:40pm ET.

Grounds crew rolled out the tarp during the rain delay as the teams wait for word on when the game can continue.

Flash flood flood warnings are active in parts of New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

'A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is either imminent or already occurring,' according to the National Weather Service.

'A flash flood is a sudden and violent inundation that can develop within minutes to hours, and it can even happen in areas not currently experiencing rainfall.'

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency for New York City and the surrounding counties shortly before 3:00pm ET.

She advised residents to 'stay vigilant, stay informed, and use caution as we expect excessive rainfall with the potential for flash flooding.'

The state of emergency covers the Bronx, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, and contiguous counties.

Flood watches are in effect for New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley through Friday afternoon.

The Long Island Rail Road is suspended in both directions on the Port Washington Branch due to high water east of Flushing Main Street.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a flash flood watch for the entire state Thursday afternoon.

'Please avoid all unnecessary travel this evening. Most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles,' he said.

Cars along the Clearview Expressway in Queens, New York, were submerged in waters as the rain started to fall Thursday afternoon.

The Clearview Expressway is closed in both directions at Northern Boulevard, the NYPD annouced.

New Jersey and New York have declared a State of Emergency ahead of severe thunderstorms expected to unleash life-threatening flash flooding across the state.

Meteorologists warned that up to seven inches of rain could fall through the evening, prompting flash flood watches statewide until Friday morning.