New York witnessed one of its wettest days in decades on Friday as heavy rainfall knocked out several subway and commuter rail lines, stranded drivers on highways, flooded basements and shuttered a terminal at LaGuardia Airport for hours, news agency Associated Press reported.
Record rainfall
Some 8.65 inches (21.97 centimeters) of rain had fallen at John F. Kennedy Airport by nightfall Friday, surpassing the record for any September day set during Hurricane Donna in 1960, the National Weather Service said.
Parts of Brooklyn saw more than 7.25 inches (18.41 centimeters), with at least one spot recording 2.5 inches (6 centimeters) in a single hour, according to weather and city officials.
More downpours were expected Saturday.
The deluge came two years after the remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped record-breaking rain on the Northeast and killed at least 13 people in New York City, mostly in flooded basement apartments. Although no deaths or severe injuries have been reported, Friday's storm stirred frightening memories.
State of emergency declared
A state of emergency was declared in the New York city amid warnings from officials that the deluge could turn deadly, the Guardian reported late Friday. Meanwhile, news agency AFP shared a video showing submerged streets in the northeastern United States.
It said, "Heavy rains overnight in the northeastern United States left parts of New York City under water on Friday, partially paralyzing subways and airports in the country's financial capital."
Heavy rains overnight in the northeastern United States left parts of New York City under water on Friday, partially paralyzing subways and airports in the country's financial capitalCheck out📹 pic.twitter.com/WIbs4oboEo
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 29, 2023
“This is a dangerous, life-threatening storm," Hochul said in an interview with TV station NY1. "Count on this for the next 20 hours.” Traffic was at a standstill, with water above cars' tires, on a stretch of the FDR Drive — a major artery along the east side of Manhattan. Some drivers abandoned their vehicles.
Priscilla Fontallio said she had been stranded in her car, which was on a piece of the highway that wasn't flooded but wasn't moving, for three hours. “Never seen anything like this in my life,” she said.
Visuals of Flash floods emerge
Photos and video posted on social media showed water pouring into subway stations and basements.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs subway and commuter rail lines, urged residents of the nation's most populous city to stay home if they could, news agency PTI reported. Virtually every subway line was at least partly suspended, rerouted or running with delays, and two of the Metro-North Railroad's three lines were suspended.
JUST IN: New York City is experiencing massive flooding causing the water to leak into the subway.
NYC is quickly becoming a 3rd world country.I guess when you become a sanctuary city and have to set aside 12 billion dollars to provide housing and support to hundreds of… pic.twitter.com/xWz745GojG— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 29, 2023
Flights into LaGuardia were briefly halted, and then delayed, Friday morning because of water in the airport's refueling area. Flooding also forced the closure of one of the airport's three terminals.
Towns and cities around New York City also experienced flooding, including Hoboken, New Jersey. A long line of people snaked from the ticket counter in the afternoon at Grand Central Terminal, where Mike Tags was among those whose trains had been canceled. Railroad employees had suggested possible workarounds, but he wondered whether they would work out.
Buckle in, New York. Flash-flood phone alerts went off this morning after most people had already left for work and school, the MTA is warning of “major disruptions," and the day has just started.
Head to @curbed for more scenes from the flood: https://t.co/hFYYnzY6u3 pic.twitter.com/84QmUqGIOn— New York Magazine (@NYMag) September 29, 2023
The deluge came less than three months after a storm caused deadly floods in New York's Hudson Valley and left Vermont's capital, Montpelier, submerged. A little over two years ago, the remnants of Hurricane Ida dropped record-breaking rain on the Northeast and killed at least 13 people in New York City, most of whom were in flooded basement apartments. Overall, 50 people died from Virginia to Connecticut.
Hochul warned New Yorkers on Thursday night of a forecast that called for 2-3 inches (5-7.5 centimeters) of rain, with 5 inches (13 centimeters) or more possible in some places.
People are swimming in the subway in New York City. just think of all the trash and rodent feces and diseases. NYC MTA is in a state of emergency due to heavy rain and flooding. pic.twitter.com/H0KeCw6M6n
— Bitcoin New York City (@BSV_NYC) September 29, 2023
“We anticipate, we warn, we prepare. But then when it hits and you have 5 inches in the last 12 hours — 3 in the last hour this morning — that's a scale that we're not accustomed to dealing with,” the Democrat told NY1 on Friday. But she added that New Yorkers “have to get used to this” because of climate change.
So scary, New York City is flooding! The governor has declared a state of emergency. Climate change will only continue to make this worse pic.twitter.com/bqN16XlDoW
— Sophia Kianni (@SophiaKianni) September 29, 2023
Besides, a Brooklyn school was evacuated because its boiler was smoking, possibly because water got into it, Schools Chancellor David Banks said. Another Brooklyn school was mopping up ground-floor classrooms, City Councilwoman Crystal Hudson said in an email seeking volunteers to help.
As the planet warms, storms are forming in a hotter atmosphere, making extreme rainfall more frequent, according to atmospheric scientists.
(With inputs from PTI)
First Published: Sept 30, 2023 10:59 AM IST
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
Punjab Lok Sabha elections: Complete list of Congress candidates
May 18, 2024 4:08 PM
Punjab Lok Sabha elections: Check full list of AAP candidates and constituencies
May 18, 2024 12:59 PM
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi election rallies in Delhi today: Here are the routes to avoid
May 18, 2024 11:28 AM