Heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding across Istanbul on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, leaving vehicles stranded, damaging homes and businesses, and forcing authorities to close schools throughout the city. Emergency workers responded to thousands of calls as floodwaters swept through streets, underpasses and residential neighborhoods.
The Istanbul governor’s office announced that all public and private schools would suspend in-person classes on Thursday, October 15. Officials also granted administrative leave to certain government employees and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as severe weather continued to threaten the metropolitan area.
The flooding disrupted daily life for Istanbul’s approximately 16 million residents. Water covered major roads, entered ground-floor properties and overwhelmed low-lying areas where vehicles struggled to move through rising water.
In one of the most serious incidents captured on video, bystanders rescued a woman who was being carried down a street by a powerful current. Footage broadcast by Turkish television station NTV showed the dangerous conditions as people attempted to reach her.
Firefighters also rescued a person trapped inside a flooded basement. Elsewhere, television images showed parked vehicles being swept away by floodwaters, demonstrating the force of the sudden runoff.
There were no immediate reports of serious injuries, according to the Associated Press. However, the rescues and extensive flooding prompted authorities to issue warnings about travel, basement apartments and areas vulnerable to further water accumulation.
The governor’s office recorded 2,518 emergency reports between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Those reports included flooding, stranded residents, damaged buildings, fallen trees and landslides.
Officials said the emergency response involved approximately 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles and pieces of heavy equipment. Teams from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, known as AFAD, worked alongside Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and district authorities.
The emergency reports included 1,277 flooding incidents and 47 cases involving people stranded by the conditions. Authorities also recorded 15 landslide reports, 13 fallen trees and two instances of roofs being blown off buildings.
Other reports concerned 808 homes, 280 businesses and 76 vehicles. The figures provided an early indication of the storm’s reach, although they represented emergency reports rather than a final assessment of damage.
The rainfall affected numerous districts across both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Water collected in streets and underpasses, creating dangerous conditions for drivers and pedestrians attempting to travel through the city.
In Esenyurt, flooding entered businesses in the Haramidere industrial area. Shop owners and workers faced waterlogged premises while streets nearby became difficult to navigate.
Vehicles were stranded on flooded roads in the İkitelli area of Başakşehir. Pedestrians also struggled to move through standing water as the heavy rain continued.
Sultangazi experienced similar problems, with roads filling with water and residents seeking shelter beneath storefront awnings. Public transportation stops became crowded as people tried to escape the downpour.
Other neighborhoods reported flooded tunnels, residential streets and sports facilities. Anadolu Agency reported that landslides occurred in some districts and trees fell as the storm affected different parts of the city.
The amount of rainfall varied significantly across Istanbul. Official measurements showed particularly heavy precipitation in northern districts, where some locations received far more rain than others.
Beykoz-Ömerli recorded approximately 193.8 millimeters of rainfall, according to figures released by the governor’s office. Arnavutköy recorded about 125.9 millimeters, while the İTÜ Maslak area of Sarıyer received approximately 124.7 millimeters.
Those totals contrasted sharply with other parts of Istanbul. Kartal recorded about 14.3 millimeters, while Bakırköy received approximately 6.8 millimeters during the reporting period.
The variation helps explain why some neighborhoods experienced severe flooding while other parts of the city reported more limited disruption. Heavy rainfall concentrated over a particular district can quickly create dangerous conditions, especially where drainage systems cannot carry away accumulating water.
Underpasses and tunnels are particularly vulnerable because water flows toward lower elevations. Drivers entering flooded sections may become trapped if water levels rise or their vehicles stop operating.
Basement apartments also present serious risks during sudden flooding. Water can enter through doors, windows and drainage openings, making it difficult for occupants to escape safely.
Recognizing those dangers, the governor’s office advised residents living in basement apartments to spend the night elsewhere. Officials also urged people to stay home unless travel was essential.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül warned that rainfall could continue overnight and remain particularly strong on the city’s Asian side Thursday. He encouraged residents to avoid flooded underpasses, streams, standing water and areas at risk of landslides.
The governor also advised people to avoid traveling in private vehicles when possible. Residents needing emergency assistance were directed to Turkey’s 112 emergency telephone service.
The school closure was among the most significant preventive measures announced Wednesday. Authorities suspended in-person education at public and private institutions throughout Istanbul for one day.
The decision affected families across the metropolitan area, where school travel contributes to daily road traffic. Keeping students and school transportation off the roads was intended to reduce exposure to dangerous conditions while emergency crews continued their work.
Government employees with disabilities, pregnant workers, veterans and certain mothers of young children were also granted administrative leave for October 15. The order covered eligible women with children younger than eight, subject to exceptions for essential services.
Women working in healthcare, security and flood-response operations were generally excluded from the childcare-related leave provision. Officials also made arrangements for mothers of children with disabilities under eight years old.
The exemptions were designed to maintain essential public services during the emergency. Healthcare personnel, police and other response workers remained necessary as authorities assisted residents and addressed dangerous conditions.
Officials also prohibited motorcycles and similar two-wheeled vehicles from entering traffic beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday. The restriction was to remain in place until authorities issued further instructions.
Motorcycles are especially vulnerable to unstable surfaces, deep puddles and strong currents. Floodwater can conceal damaged pavement, open drains and other hazards that are difficult for riders to identify.
The storm also affected public transportation. Local reporting described cancellations on some services and disruptions caused by flooded streets and transportation routes.
Despite widespread difficulties, the governor’s office reported Wednesday evening that no roads remained officially closed at the time of its update. Authorities also said airport runways were open and no flights had been canceled because of the weather.
Those conditions reflected the situation at the time of the announcement rather than a guarantee that further disruptions would not occur. Officials continued monitoring the weather and responding to emergency reports.
Istanbul's extensive urban development makes heavy rainfall a serious challenge. Dense neighborhoods, paved roads and large building complexes can reduce the amount of water absorbed naturally into the ground.
When rainfall becomes intense, storm drains and waterways may struggle to handle the volume. Water can accumulate quickly in streets and low-lying areas, particularly where drainage capacity is limited or debris obstructs its flow.
The latest storm demonstrated how rapidly flooding can interrupt transportation and other essential activities in a densely populated city. Emergency responses involved not only stranded motorists but also residents facing water damage inside homes and workplaces.
Authorities had not released a complete financial damage estimate Wednesday evening. The number of affected properties and emergency calls indicated that cleanup and inspections would continue beyond the initial storm.
The immediate priority remained protecting residents and restoring safe access to affected streets and buildings. Emergency crews continued responding to flooding reports as officials monitored forecasts for additional rainfall.
With schools closed Thursday and motorcycle restrictions still subject to further instructions, residents were advised to follow official announcements before traveling. The governor’s office warned that continued rain could create additional hazards, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods on Istanbul’s Asian side.