New York officials declared a state of emergency on Thursday afternoon as flash flooding hit railways and roads, causing significant delays and closures across the tristate area ahead of peak travel time.The flooding has caused significant delays and service changes across the A, B, C, D, E, and F lines, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Meanwhile, New Jersey Transit suspended service in both directions along the Gladstone Branch between Gladstone and Bernardsville.Flooding on the roads has also blocked the lanes at the Throgs Neck Bridge in Queens, causing untold delays in road traffic.Kathy Hochul Declares State of Emergency in New YorkNew York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a State of Emergency just ahead of heavy flash floods that swept through the area."Due to heavy rain and potential flooding, New York City and the surrounding counties are under a State of Emergency," Hochul wrote in a post on X. "Be alert. Be safe. Be smart. We'll get through this."New York City issued its own warnings shortly before 5 p.m. ET: In a video posted to X, Mayor Eric Adams announced a travel advisory and flood watch in effect until Friday morning, urging residents to "stay where you are if you can.""Don't drive. Roadways are flooding, and crews are responding," Adams wrote. "If you live in a basement apartment, and haven't yet moved to higher ground, move now."New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Thursday afternoon announced a Flash Flood Watch for his state, warning residents to "avoid all unnecessary travel this evening," adding that "most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles."New Jersey Acting Governor Tahesha Way had earlier in the day declared a State of Emergency that took effect at 2 p.m. ET, leading to the early closure of all state offices to avoid unnecessary travel. The Flash Flood Warning will remain in effect until Friday morning."Beginning this afternoon, we are expecting severe thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts with the potential for flash flooding across the state," Way said. "I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms. Residents should remain off the roads and indoors unless absolutely necessary."What is a State of Emergency?A state can issue a State of Emergency in the event of a disaster or severe conditions in order to empower officials to provide supplemental aid to local agencies and communities in need. Primarily, it cuts through a lot of red tape that might otherwise slow the progress of providing that aidThe declaration also enables officials to provide resources to help rescue or evacuate residents or provide essential resources such as food or fuel to affected areas.In some cases, the state can also be in position to seek federal assistance depending on the scope of the event and the demands on overall resources, according to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.Clearview Expressway, Cross Island Parkway Flooding: What We KnowHeavy flooding on parkways led to emergency responders rescuing drivers from near-fatalities: Authorities told local outlet QNS that FDNY and NYPD rescued three vehicles that were submerged on the Clearview Expressways at around 2:45 p.m. ET.Video posted by the Citizen App showed a sixteen-wheeler submerged right up to the driver's cabin and reported that some areas along the roadway had as much as seven feet of water.Uber, Lyft Costs Spike During StormsOne of the more surprising effects of the flash flooding saw rideshare drivers jacking prices up to deal with the dangerous conditions.In one case, a would-be rider who estimates the typical cost for a 3.3-mile journey from southern Manhattan to Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, at around $30, told Newsweek that Lyft quoted them more than $230 for the same ride at around 3.30 p.m. on Thursday.Uber came in cheaper than Lyft but still more than four times the typical price at around $140.This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow.Update 7/31/25, 6:57 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.Update 7/31/25, 5:57 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.