NYC flooding: Damage assessed after state of emergency declared
Latest developments as New York City is hit by flash floods and state of emergency is declared
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Your support makes all the difference.New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a State of Emergency as flash flooding wreaks havoc across New York City caused by torrential rain pummelling the northeastern US. Mayor Eric Adams likewise asked New Yorkers to stay home or shelter in place.
Brooklyn is particularly hard hit by rising water with shocking videos showing streets and subways underwater. Widespread outages and delays were reported on the MTA, the agency that runs the city’s transit system.
A severe storm lodged over the city, and parts of upstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, leading to widespread flood watches and warnings.
The New York area could see an unprecedented amount of rain with between two and five inches having already fallen in some areas since midnight.
Emergency alerts were sent to cellphones in the city at 9.30am local time from the National Weather Service.
“A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect for this area until 12:30pm EDT,” it read. “This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
A travel advisory was issued by city authorities beginning at 4am on Friday through until 6am on Saturday with the potential for “widespread travel impacts”.
Full story: New York declares state of emergency as flash flooding leaves parts of city underwater
Large swaths of New York were underwater on Friday morning as torrential rainfall caused flash flooding across the city.
A severe storm lodged over the city on Thursday night, leaving the five boroughs and parts of upstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut under flood watches and warnings.
New Yorkers were urged not to travel as the subway system largely shut down in the conditions, and vehicles were trapped by rising waters.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall. She said that officials were worried about basement homes, during an interview on Friday, after a number of people drowned during Hurricane Ida in 2021.
“Plan your escape route. Don’t wait until water is over your knees before you leave. Don’t wait until it’s too late,” Gov Hochul said.
New York City declares state of emergency
Two to five inches of rain have already fallen across the city, up to three more inches expected in the next 24 hours
Latest in series of floods across northeastern US
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.
“If people decide to venture out in a vehicle, they do so at their own peril”
New York Gov Kathy Hochul sent out a warning message on Friday afternoon, urging New Yorkers to stay home if possible.
Watch the full video message:
NYC’s flooding is linked to climate change
Three to six inches of rain have fallen with several more on the way in the next 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Some forecasters warned the flooding has the potential to be “historic”.
Forecasters said rainfall was coming down at a rate of one to 2.5 inches an hour in some places.
From 8am to 9am, the Brooklyn Navy Yard received 2.58 inches of rain, said Rohit Aggarwala, from New York’s Department of Environmental Protection, at a Friday press briefing. The city’s sewer system was built to handle 1.75 inches.
“This is the result of climate change. Our climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can respond,” Mr Aggarwala said.
Read the full story
New York flooding chaos is result of climate crisis, city official warns
‘Our climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can respond,’ said Rohit Aggarwala, from New York’s Department of Environmental Protection
Flash flood warning for Queens and Brooklyn is set to end at 2.30pm
Photos of the floods
The Independent captured shocking photos of the floods that are keeping locals indoors and submerging vehicles.
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