Wildfire Smoke and Flash Flooding Hit New York City Simultaneously

On July 18, 2026, Canadian wildfire smoke pushed New York City air quality to unhealthy levels while severe thunderstorms dumped over 2.5 inches of rain, triggering flash flood warnings across northern New Jersey and NYC. Water poured into Penn Station. Neighborhoods from Jamaica to Greenpoint flooded. Shifting winds were expected to gradually clear the smoke later in the day.