TOPSHOT-US-WEATHER-FLOOD
(Photo : ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Cars in floodwater on the FDR highway in Manhattan, New York on September 29, 2023. 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.

Record-setting rainfall overwhelmed New York City's wastewater system, sending a surge of floodwater through streets, cellars, schools, subways, and vehicles throughout the most populous city in the United States.

The swift and violent rise of the water caught some commuters off guard during Friday morning's rush hour.

New York Streets and Subways Flood

When necessary, first responders sprang into action, rescuing people from stranded vehicles and basements that were filling like bathtubs. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York received more rainfall in a single day than any other since 1948.

Per CNN, Brooklyn received a month's worth of rain in just three hours on Friday morning when it was pummeled by the storm's most intense rainfall rates.

According to scientists, the prolific totals are a symptom of climate change, with a warmed atmosphere capable of soaking up more water vapor and then releasing it in intense bursts that can easily overwhelm outmoded flood protections.

By late Friday afternoon, 3 to 6 inches of rain had fallen throughout New York City. The evening will see an increase in precipitation, though it will progressively subside.

Friday morning, as the worst of the inundation struck New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency. Hochul warned New Yorkers not to travel due to pervasive hazardous conditions.

According to the New York City Fire Department, firefighters performed rescue operations at six inundated cellars in New York City. New York City school chancellor David Banks said the water also entered 150 of New York City's 1,400 schools, which remained open on Friday.

Floodwater overflowed into subways and onto railways and caused "significant disruptions," including suspensions of service on 10 train lines in Brooklyn and all three Metro-North train lines. Hochul said the city is deploying additional transportation to help make up for the train disruptions.

Read Also: California Homelessness: Sacramento City Faces Lawsuit as Streets Overflow With Homeless Encampments

Extreme Weather in New York Causes Flight Delays

Meanwhile, travelers attempting to leave New York on budget airlines from LaGuardia airport encountered ankle-deep water due to pervasive inundation. The airport was forced to close Terminal A, from which Spirit and Frontier flights depart, as floodwaters rushed through the structure.

Photos and videos posted online depicted frantic passengers attempting to escape a flooded terminal, the New York Post reported. One woman even shared footage from inside one of the terminals, revealing to her TikTok followers that water was flowing through the building's revolving doors and over her footwear.

 

 

In response to the inundation, LaGuardia Airport officials announced that Terminal A would be temporarily closed and passengers would be transferred to Terminal C. All Spirit Airlines flights departing from Terminal C have been canceled until 3 p.m., while Frontier Airlines will operate its remaining two flights from Terminal C.

Additionally, the airport advised passengers on X to "validate their flight status before traveling to the airport."

Flight Aware, a website that monitors airport traffic, reported that as of 1 p.m., LaGuardia had reported 44 delays and 50 flight cancellations. Additionally, nearby John F. Kennedy Airport reported 42 delayed flights and 9 cancellations.

Separately, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency for the five boroughs and implored New Yorkers to remain at home or take sanctuary at work or school.

He stated, "This is a perilous situation that is not over."

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning, citing a "hazardous and life-threatening situation" caused by the storm, which is predicted to bring up to 10 inches of rain to some areas of the region.

At 1:30 p.m., the National Weather Service recorded that LaGuardia Airport reported 3.65 inches of precipitation and JFK International Airport reported 6.12 inches. By this time, portions of New York City had already received 6 inches of precipitation.

The entire tri-state area remains under a flood watch until Saturday at 6 a.m., with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible at times.

Related Article: Drought-Stricken Mississippi River Threatens Louisiana, New Orleans Water Supply 

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.