'Freak thunderstorm' sweeps through the Bronx, NY area - massive flooding and airport closures

Two people were struck by lightning Sunday when a freak thunderstorm swept through the area - causing massive flooding to area roadways, grounding several flights at local airports and cancelling many other Labor Day weekend events. Officials said the lightning struck beachgoers enjoying a day at Orchard Beach Park in The Bronx around 5 p.m. when the skies suddenly turned dark and gave way to a torrential downpour that lasted about a half hour. They were rushed to Jacobi Hospital in stable condition, according to the FDNY. The heavy rains also wreaked havoc on city highways, including the impassable Major Deegan Expressway. Tennis action was halted at the US Open in Queens and organizers of the Electric Zoo festival on Randall's Island were forced to cancel the remainder of the festival for concert goers safety. "Due to extreme weather conditions, the festival has shut down for the remainder of the day," organizers wrote on twitter. All three major airports - JFK, LaGuardia and Newark - reported significant delays due to the storm.