NEW YORK: A state of emergency has been declared in New York City following strong storms caused flash flooding.
Many of the city’s subway systems, highways, and streets have flooded while at least one terminal at LaGuardia Airport closed on Friday before later reopening. Up to 8 inches (20cm) of rain fell in some parts of the city, however, skies calmed slightly by the evening.
This is the New York City subway right now… pic.twitter.com/t30sVZilkr
— Sophia Kianni (@SophiaKianni) September 29, 2023
“This is a dangerous, life-threatening storm,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.
“I am declaring a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall we’re seeing throughout the region,” Gov Hochul said on X. She urged people to take steps to stay safe and “never attempt to travel on flooded roads”.
No deaths or critical injuries have so far been reported.
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
A state of emergency was also declared in the New Jersey town of Hoboken, just across the Hudson River from New York City.
Mayor New York City, Eric Adams warned people it was a time for “heightened alertness and extreme caution” as the state of emergency was put in place.
“Some of our subways are flooded and it is extremely difficult to move around the city,” he told a press briefing.
Scary.
The New York City subway looking like an end of times waterpark.#flashflood #flashflooding #flooding #flood #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #brooklyn #rain #rainstorm #storm #downpour #streetflooding #sel #abd #usa #BREAKING #williamsburg #NewJersey #manhattan #queens #NYC pic.twitter.com/Ea2ejSjpKA— Usman Akram Goraya (@UsmanAkram82) September 29, 2023
Despite the rain easing later on Friday, Governor Hochul warned “we’re still in the throes of it”. “My biggest concern right now is that people will see a lull in the rain and people will go out in their vehicles,” she told CNN.
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
Check out📹 pic.twitter.com/WIbs4oboEo— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 29, 2023
According to the Metropolitan Transportation Agency, the flooding caused major disruptions to New York’s subway system and the Metro North commuter rail service. Some subway lines were suspended entirely, and many stations were closed.
⚡🇺🇲 #USA – People grocery shopping in knee high water during the apocalyptic flooding in New York City today. #NewYorkFlood #NYC #flood #WeatherAlert pic.twitter.com/TokYZtxmdx
— X News Monitor (@xNewsMonitor) September 30, 2023
More than 2.5 inches of rain was reported in one hour in Brooklyn Navy Yard and parts of Brooklyn borne the brunt of this.
In South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, workers waded through knee-high water as they tried to unclog a drain as cardboard and other debris floated by.
New York City wildlife expected to survive despite apocalyptic flooding.#NYCFlooding #wildlife #NewYorkCity pic.twitter.com/nPyrbPhFQw
— Popcorn Culture (@xpopcornculture) September 30, 2023
New York City has had nearly 14 inches of rain so far in September only, making it the wettest September since 1882, according to National Weather Service data.
