NYC flooding – live: Damage assessed after state of emergency declared
Latest developments as New York City recovers from flash floods after historic rainfall sparked state of emergency
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
New York has “officially transitioned into the recovery phase” after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency following historic rainfall and flash flooding, officials said over the weekend.
The governor’s declaration came as torrential rain pummelled the northeastern US, her pleas for residents to stay home echoed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who’d also asked New Yorkers to shelter in place.
Most people heeded the call, the governor said Saturday – though at least 28 rescues were conducted by New York emergency services, she said.
Brooklyn was particularly hard hit by rising water with shocking videos showing streets and subways underwater, and one hospital forced to evacuate more than 150 patients after electrical damage forced its temporary closure. Widespread outages and delays were reported on the MTA, the agency that runs the city’s transit system, before it returned to full weekend service on Saturday.
Historic rainfall levels were recorded at locations from LaGuardia Airport to Central Park, where a sea lion named Sally gained viral video fame “after briefly exploring the flooded plaza inside the zoo,” officials said.
Multiple major road closures due to flooding
- FDR Drive closed in both directions at Delancey Street in Manhattan
- All lanes on the Cross Island Parkway are closed in both directions at Bell Boulevard in Queens
- Major Deegan Expressway closed in both directions at 230th Street in The Bronx
Consider alternate routes.
Recap: Storm floods New York City area, pouring into subways and swamping streets in rush-hour mess
A potent rush-hour rainstorm swamped the New York metropolitan area on Friday, shutting down swaths of the city's subway system, flooding streets and highways, and cutting off access to at least one terminal at LaGuardia Airport.
Up to 5 inches (13 centimetres) of rain fell in some areas overnight, and as much as 7 inches (18 centimetres) more was expected throughout the day, New York Gov Kathy Hochul said.
“This is a dangerous, life-threatening storm," Hochul said in an interview with TV station NY1. "Count on this for the next 20 hours.”
Photos and video posted on social media showed water pouring into subway stations and basements, and reaching the top of cars' wheels in parts of Brooklyn and elsewhere.
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. 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.
Flooding also was reported in surrounding areas, including Hoboken, New Jersey.
No Metro-North trains between Manhattan and Bronx
Metro-North Railroad, which links Manhattan with the Bronx, Connecticut, and Westchester County, has announced that there is no service on its three lines into or out of Manhattan because of flooding.
Mayor warns New Yorkers to exercise ‘extreme caution’ as dangerous weather is not over
Mayor Eric Adams said at a news briefing with Governor Kathy Hochul that he was issuing a state of emergency for New York City.
He warned New Yorkers to exercise “extreme caution” and stay home or to “shelter in place” if they were at work or school.
“We could possibly see 8 inches of rain before the day is over,” Mayor Adams warned.
“This is a dangerous weather condition and it is not over and I don’t want those gaps in heavy rain to give the appearance that it is over.”
The mayor said he has already visited some of the worst-hit parts of Brooklyn and encouraged residents to assist in helping clear clogged drains.
New Yorkers reminded not to drive in floodwater
Just 12 inches of water can carry away a car and 18-24 inches can move a large SUV.
Recovering transportation a priority
Governor Kathy Hochul described the storm as a “life-threatening rainfall event” and stressed that getting the transportation system back up and running was a priority.
We want to make sure we get the subways, the trains, our communication system, our transportation system working because there’s children who use the subway to get home from school.
Zach Iscol, the commissioner of New York City’s Office of Emergency Management said that today “is the wettest day we’ve had since Hurricane Ida swept this city” two years ago.
“This changing weather pattern is the result of climate change,” said Rohit Aggarwala, commissioner of the city’s Department of Environmental Protection.
HE added that the weather is “changing faster than our infrastructure can withstand”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments