New York City and Tri-State could see flash floods, severe storms | Live updates

The Tri-State Area is under an AccuWeather Alert Tuesday for the threat of strong thunderstorms, damaging winds and flooding downpours, with the most significant weather expected during the evening commute.

Brittany Bell says the region will see two rounds of storms, with the stronger round expected between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. That second wave could bring damaging wind gusts, hail, flooding and even an isolated tornado.

A Flood Watch is in effect for most of New Jersey and New York City, with a Level 2 out of 4 risk for flooding. Scattered flash flooding is considered likely, with 1 to 2 inches of rain possible and isolated locations seeing higher amounts.

Outside of thunderstorms, skies will remain mostly cloudy and humidity levels will stay high. The afternoon high temperature is expected to reach 78 degrees.

New York City is bracing for another round of heavy rain after weekend flooding submerged parts of Queens, trapped residents in their homes and stranded drivers on major roadways.

In Woodside, FDNY crews waded through waist-high water to rescue a family of four trapped in a flooded basement, while floodwaters covered portions of the BQE and Queens Boulevard.

Residents in Flushing are still cleaning up sewage backups and water damage as city crews clear storm drains and prepare low-lying neighborhoods for the threat of more rain.

Phil Taitt reports from Queens.

Ahead of Tuesday's forecasted storms, there are already hundreds of flight cancellations, and airlines have also issued travel waivers allowing passengers traveling to, from, or through airports in the northeast to rebook their flights without any extra fees if they were scheduled to travel on Tuesday.

Airlines typically cancel flights in advance to prevent travelers from being stranded at airports and to reposition their crews and aircraft out of the storm's path so they can restore normal operations as soon as possible once conditions are safe.

Ground stops and delays are expected at airports throughout the day as storms pass through.

Many airlines are allowing passengers to change flights to avoid the storms.

LATEST FLIGHT DELAYS/CANCELLATIONS

FAA ADVISORIES/GROUND STOPS

TRAVEL WAIVERS LINKED BELOW

American waiver
Delta waiver
United waiver
Southwest waiver
JetBlue waiver

There's concern that parts of New York City could see the same kind of flash flooding that the area saw this weekend, especially residents in one part of Flushing, Queens.

They say the flooding is so common that they no longer buy nice things. Things that once surrounded them in their living rooms and bedrooms are being crushed up and carted away.

All the first floors of the homes along 153rd Street and Peck Avenue flooded, again, Saturday morning as sewage drains backed up in a deluge of rain.

The New York City Emergency Management commissioner visited the area Saturday afternoon, and Eyewitness News reported from there Saturday night after the flash flood receded. But a mess that happens in a flash can take days to get rid of.

Eyewitness News reporter Sonia Rincon spoke with residents about how they are preparing for the next round of storms.

Sonia Rincon spoke to residents in Flushing, Queens about how they are preparing for Tuesday's storms.