NEW YORK: New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivered a sobering message on Saturday, emphasizing that the torrential downpours responsible for the flash flooding in New York City on Friday serve as clear evidence of a “changing normal” fueled by the effects of climate change.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of one of its wettest days on record, which saw nearly eight inches (20 cm) of rainfall in certain areas, concerns over the changing climate’s effects are on the rise.
The excessive rainfall even prompted a sea lion at the Central Park Zoo to briefly venture beyond its pool enclosure. While the immediate flood risk subsided by midday Saturday, a Brooklyn municipal hospital faced complications due to a power outage during Friday’s deluge. NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull had transitioned to backup power, but repairs necessitated a complete shutdown of power for several days. As a result, the facility initiated the transfer of its 120 patients to other hospitals on Saturday, a process anticipated to span eight hours.
The relentless downpour transformed streets into temporary rivers, leaving vehicles stranded for extended periods. Several subway and commuter rail lines were forced to suspend service, and flights experienced delays and cancellations, with one terminal at LaGuardia Airport undergoing evacuation.
Governor Hochul underscored the need to consider such incidents as part of a “new normal” shaped by climate change. In response to the crisis, a state of emergency, expediting resource allocation for crisis management, will remain in place for the next six days. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities associated with the storm.
President Joe Biden received briefings on the flooding throughout Friday and Saturday, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency poised to offer assistance if required, as reported by the White House.”
