The airport suspended service and trains reported hours-long delays. The subways were overflowing with commuters forced to find an alternate way home. At least one person was reported dead.
"It came practically out of nowhere," a radio meteorologist said of the massive storm.
The runways at Kennedy International Airport saw dozens of trees uprooted and three large trucks overturned. Two of the trucks were blocking a runway and the third truck was thrown over a concrete barrier into a lamppost before coming to rest on another runway.
Rare tornado warnings were issued for the borough of Staten Island. A police spokesman said it remained to be determined whether the storm actually contained a tornado.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels | Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks