New York airports suspended as severe storms hit the Northeast

Strong thunderstorms swept the northeastern United States on Monday, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to suspend arrivals at John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia airports. Flight‑tracking data showed 162 delayed and 78 cancelled flights at JFK, 13 delayed and 61 cancelled at Newark, and the highest impact at LaGuardia with 172 delayed and 155 cancelled flights. Winds exceeding 75 mph and forecasts of an additional two‑to‑four inches of rain raised concerns about further disruption to both air and ground travel, and airlines activated policies allowing passengers to change itineraries without fees.

The heavy rain also caused a roof collapse at a BJ’s Wholesale Club in Ocean Township, New Jersey. Two shoppers were briefly trapped but escaped unharmed; about 20 % of the store’s roof was damaged. Emergency responders used drones and K‑9 units to inspect the building and declared the area safe. The storms followed a recent heatwave that had claimed 19 lives in New Jersey and left hundreds of thousands without power across several states.

Authorities warned residents to stay alert for flash‑flooding and to avoid unnecessary travel as the weather system continues to move eastward.