World Cup last delay fears as New York hit with flash floods forward of Spain v Argentina
New York has been hit by major flash flooding bringing roads to a standstill and some cars even submerged just hours before the state plays host to the FIFA World Cup final tonight
Some roads around New York have been brought to a standstill (Image: CBS NEWS)
Fears have been sparked ahead of tonight’s FIFA World Cup final of the game potentially facing delays due to travel chaos after the host state of New York was hit by major flash flooding.
Images and video from across the area have shown traffic coming to a standstill with cars unable to cross the flood water and those who fancied their chances now with a submerged vehicle just hours before kick-off.
Spain play Argentina at 8pm UK time this evening at the New York New Jersey Stadium as stranded vehicles and even fire engines have become victims to the wild weather, which began yesterday (July 18). Even former England star Joe Hart was also caught in the major downpour.
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart was also caught up in the heavy rainfall(Image: @Joehartofficial/Instagram)
Hart told his Instagram followers that he was walking barefoot after being soaked. He said: “Shoes are off, trainers are ruined.”
The National Weather Service reported between two and four inches of rain had fallen in a matter of hours. The weather already impacted one sporting event with the New York Yankees v the Dodgers baseball game at Yankee Stadium being cancelled due the flooding chaos.
New York City locals were warned of the chaos through an alert from the National Weather Service on Saturday (July 18). It said: “A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect for this area until 3.30pm EDT.”
A fire truck was seen struggling in the area of Queens(Image: ABC7/NY)
“This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
Today’s forecast looks much better for the big game today, however, it is currently unknown if the chaos from yesterday will have impacted the travel network to attend the final.
There has already been concerns that FIFA could relocate the World Cup final over concerns for player welfare but it was not due to the weather but wildfires in another country.
Some cars were seen submerged in the New York streets(Image: ABC7/NY)
Thick smoke had blanketed New York on Friday (July 17) as the city and surrounding area from Canada. Despite this FIFA had no plans to move the final despite US President Donald Trump weighing in on the matter.
Trump accused the country of “willful negligence” over its forest management and claimed the US was being “unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air”.
