Parts of New York see wettest day on record as life-threatening flooding submerges subways, streets

NEW YORK – Life-threatening flash flooding pummeled the New York City metro house Friday as remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia lashed the already closely saturated area with a number of inches of rain in mere hours.

All of New York City’s 5 boroughs have been positioned below Flash Flood Warnings on Friday, as torrential rains flooded streets and subway stations, inflicting huge system-side disruptions to rail and bus products and services. Impacts have been particularly felt in Brooklyn, the place just about 7 inches of rain had fallen by way of noon. 

“I want to say to all New Yorkers, this is time for heightened alertness and extreme caution,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned. “If you are home, stay home. If you are at work or school, shelter in place. For now, some of our subways are flooded, and it’s extremely difficult to move around the city.”

Friday is now preliminarily the wettest day on record at John F. Kenney International Airport beating Hurricane Irene’s day by day record which was once set again on August 14, 2011, the National Weather Service stated.

Widespread rain totals of 4 to six inches have been New York City, Long Island and Hudson Valley, with in the community upper quantities in extra of 7 inches of rain. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency throughout the similar spaces because of the intense rainfall.

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The FOX Forecast Center stated rainfall charges in some storms reached greater than 2 inches in line with hour or extra. Officials in New York City stated the subway method can most effective deal with a most of 1 inch of rainfall in line with hour, and flooding might happen if it exceeds 1.5 inches – standards simply met on Friday.

“Heavy rain will inundate transportation systems and likely cause flash flooding in some areas today,” New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray stated. “This means that it will be dangerous to travel, especially by car.”

Fairfield, New Jersey police illustrated one such instance of the perils of using Friday by way of appearing one of their officials rescuing a driving force who become stranded in toes of floodwaters.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency Friday for the Garden State as spaces from Manasquan to Newark noticed a number of inches of rain.

Several water rescues had taken as of Friday afternoon, however there have been no stories of any vital accidents or lacking folks related to the elements match.

Others who ventured out onto the roads discovered a number of outstanding highways and parkways closed because of floodwaters. In Brooklyn, more than one automobiles have been stranded with water as much as their home windows on Prospect Expressway.  The NWS reported closures alongside the Hutchison River Parkway, Bronx Run Parkway, Major Deegan Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, or even phase of the FDR Drive because of floodwaters.

Landslides with dust have been additionally reported by way of emergency control within the hillier terrain of Lower Westchester.

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It wasn’t simply the ones touring by way of trains and cars suffering from emerging waters. Parking loads and ramps have been flooded at LaGuardia Airport, shutting down get entry to to Terminal A. The airport stated their airport gas farm was once additionally unreachable because of floods.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated flights have been nonetheless arriving and departing at house airports, despite the fact that intermittent flooring stops are most probably as heavy rain continues lashing the area.

“Airport staff is continuously monitoring the runways, roadways and terminals and will immediately activate water pumps if necessary,” the FAA stated. “Flooding may impact the roadways surrounding the airports and police will redirect traffic. Travelers should leave ample time when heading to the airports.”

New York Public Schools remained in consultation Friday and officers expressed self assurance they might be capable of get scholars house safely.

“We have been in touch with all vendors, and have not heard of major issues so far,” stated New York Public Schools Press Secretary Nathaniel Styer. “We are asking bus companies to leave early for pickup, and as always, to take all safety precautions.”

The neighborhood of Valley Stream on Long Island and JFK Airport reported the best possible rainfall totals with between 8-10 inches of rain in 24 hours.

Many different statement websites round New York City reported no less than 7″ of rain.

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An entire fleet of emergency trucks, deployable pumps and other equipment are on standby for a city that depends on the rails. Bus routes, bridges and tunnels are also being monitored closely. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subway system, has activated its 24-hour situation room.