In New York City, a state of emergency has been declared due to violent storms that have brought flash flooding. At least one terminal at LaGuardia Airport was closed on Friday, and several subway systems, streets, and roadways were flooded. In some areas of the city, up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain fell, and forecasts indicated that a couple more inches of rain would fall on Friday evening.
Governor Kathy Hochul has stated that this tempest is severe and life-threatening. The governor of New York proclaimed the emergency via X, formerly known as Twitter. Hochul declared, “I am declaring a state of emergency throughout New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall in the region.” To ensure their safety, she advised, “Never attempt to travel on flooded roads.”
There have been no fatalities or serious injuries reported. A state of emergency was also declared in Hoboken, New Jersey, which is located immediately across the Hudson River from New York City. As soon as the state of emergency was declared, New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, issued a warning imploring “heightened alertness and extreme caution” from everyone.
During a press conference, he stated, “Some of our subways are flooded, and it is very difficult to move around the city.” Mr. Adams reported to CBS, the BBC’s US affiliate, that three basement apartment rescues and fifteen vehicle rescues occurred on Friday evening.
According to the Metropolitan Transportation Agency, both the Metro North commuter rail service and the New York City metro system were significantly impacted by flooding. Numerous stations were closed, and some metro lines were suspended in their entirety.
According to Reuters, emergency personnel used inflatable rafts to rescue people stranded in buildings in the Westchester County suburb of Mamaroneck due to flooding.
People could be seen wading through knee-deep water in photographs and videos captured as rain flooded streets and subways. Several videos shared on social media appeared to show water pouring from the roof and walls of metro stations onto flooded platforms.
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In one hour, the Brooklyn Navy Yard received over 6.5 centimeters of precipitation. According to Rohit Aggarwala, chief climate officer for New York, the sewage infrastructure in the city was only constructed to manage 1.75 inches of rain per hour.
He stated that it is not surprising that Brooklyn has suffered the greatest loss. In an effort to unclog a sewer in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, workers waded through knee-deep water while cardboard and other debris floated by.
Kelly Hayes, a resident of the Gowanus neighborhood, estimated that the inundation damage to her bar and kitchen would cost between $25,000 and $30,000 (£20,500 to £24,500). New York City residents escape the advancing floodwaters.
According to the authorities, inundation at La Guardia Airport resulted in the closure of Terminal A. Passengers were encouraged to clarify with their airline prior to departure. The New York Police Department also reported that a number of arteries had been closed and the National Guard had been activated.
On a segment of the FDR Drive, a major thoroughfare on the east side of Manhattan, traffic came to a complete halt as water rises past vehicle tires. The National Weather Service reports that New York City has already received nearly 14 inches of precipitation this month, making it the wettest September since 1882.