New York: New York submerged: Heavy rains paralyze subways, airports and roads

In a devastating turn of events, heavy rains overnight have left parts of New York City submerged, wreaking havoc on its infrastructure and daily life. The catastrophe unfolded as torrential downpours pounded the northeastern United States, leaving New York City paralyzed and prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to declare an official state of emergency for multiple regions.
Images from the affected areas paint a grim picture, with cars half-submerged in floodwaters, traffic at a standstill, and major roads rendered impassable. The New York subway system, a lifeline for millions, was severely affected, with several lines in Brooklyn forced to close due to the deluge.
The National Weather Service issued warnings of continued flooding throughout the day, with hourly rainfalls of up to two inches (5.1 centimeters) and a possible total accumulation of seven inches (18 centimeters). Flash flooding is expected in urban areas, poor drainage zones, and along small rivers and streams.
The relentless rain resulted from a low-pressure system along the mid-Atlantic coast, drawing in moist air from the ocean. This event comes just two years after Hurricane Ida unleashed devastating flooding in the region, claiming 13 lives, many of whom were trapped in basement apartments.
The situation worsened during the morning rush hour as the rainstorm inundated the New York metropolitan area. Parts of the city’s subway system were shut down, streets and highways turned into rivers, and flights into LaGuardia Airport faced delays due to flooded runways.
By midday, although there was a brief respite from the rain, Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to stay indoors whenever possible. Both Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul declared states of emergency to manage the crisis effectively.
As of midday, no storm-related fatalities or critical injuries were reported. However, the inundation severely disrupted daily life in the city. The FDR Drive, a major Manhattan artery, was submerged, leading some drivers to abandon their vehicles. Brooklyn residents faced waist-deep floodwaters and had to improvise ways to navigate the deluge.
In South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, workers battled knee-deep water to unclog drains while debris floated by. A Brooklyn elementary school was evacuated due to a smoking boiler, likely caused by water infiltration.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported severe disruptions in bus service citywide. Virtually every subway line experienced partial suspension, rerouting, or delays, and two of the Metro-North Railroad’s three lines were suspended.
This catastrophic flooding extended to neighboring towns and cities, including Hoboken, New Jersey, highlighting the widespread nature of the disaster.
The devastating deluge arrives less than three months after a storm brought deadly floods to New York’s Hudson Valley and submerged Vermont‘s capital, Montpelier. Just over two years ago, the remnants of Hurricane Ida unleashed record-breaking rainfall on the Northeast, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people in New York City, most of whom were trapped in basement apartments. The death toll from Virginia to Connecticut reached 50.
Governor Hochul issued a plea to residents to evacuate their homes if water levels rise further. She emphasized the seriousness of the situation and stressed that climate change is making extreme rainfall events more frequent, a pattern that New Yorkers must adapt to in the future.
As experts warn of the increasing impact of climate change, New York City’s resilience is once again put to the test in the face of another tragic natural disaster.
(with inputs from agencies)
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