A Torrential New York Rain Storm, In 3 Acts

A major downpour drenched New York City Wednesday and put on an impressive lightning show.

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Act 1: A massive storm rolls toward New York City.

The storm arrived Wednesday afternoon. As it approached, lightning shot down toward buildings and empty land. The storm prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for New York City and nearby areas that lasted from 7:15 p.m. until after 9 p.m.

Act 2: The storm arrives and intensifies. Rain drenches the city. Lightning bolts continue criss-crossing the skyline.

A storm assaults New York City with lightning. (Photo by @GaryHershorn)

One World Trade Center gets hit by lightning during a storm tonight. #newyork #newyorkcity @nyc @newyork #lightning

Here we go again. #stormy #gotham being dark and sparkly tonight #nyc #lightning #weather

The storm wreaked havoc in other New York communities as well. In Sullivan County, about 100 miles from New York City, more than 4,000 people were without power. And in Niskayuna, about 160 miles from NYC, firefighters had to rescue a couple who tried to drive down a flooded street.

Act 3: The storm moves on as the sun sets.

Amazing sunset after the #storm tonight in #NYC. #weather

Magnificent sunset over NYC's Times Square after storm ripped through city:

Wednesday's storm cleared out by the end of the day, but it may have just been a prelude of things to come; Tropical Storm Arthur was slowly moving up the coast Wednesday and was expected to hit New York City later in the week.

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