NYC records its wettest August in five years as storms continue

New York City has been drenched with over 8 inches of rain this month, marking the wettest August in at least five years, according to senior AccuWeather meteorologist Carl Erickson. The total of 8.04 inches far surpasses the 2.21 inches measured in Central Park last August and follows a flash storm on Thursday that delivered just under three inches in a short period, flooding streets. Sunday brought another three-hour burst that produced roughly 1.5 inches of rain, leading to flash flooding that stranded two cars near Exit 5 of the Clearview Expressway in Queens; firefighters from the FDNY rescued the occupants.

The heavy precipitation also briefly closed lanes on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Long Island Expressway. Erickson warned that another rain event could arrive on Thursday, after which a relatively dry spell is forecasted. He noted that the city's extensive pavement can exacerbate rapid runoff and flood risks during such intense, short-duration storms.