A torrential rainstorm dumped heavy rain on New York City, causing widespread flooding and disruptions to daily life. As much as 6.7 inches of rain fell in parts of Brooklyn by midday, with some areas receiving over 2.5 inches in a single hour. The storm brought traffic to a standstill, causing drivers to abandon their vehicles and pedestrians to wade through knee-deep water. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority urged residents to stay at home, as virtually every subway line was suspended, rerouted, or delayed. Flights into LaGuardia Airport were also briefly halted and then delayed due to water in the airport’s refueling area.
Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul declared states of emergency, as the city struggled to cope with the deluge. No storm-related deaths or critical injuries had been reported as of midday, but residents were forced to navigate treacherous conditions. Water poured into subway stations and basements, and photos and video posted on social media showed the severity of the flooding.
Mayor Eric Adams (Via Eric Adams/Twitter)
The storm came just three months after a storm caused deadly floods in New York’s Hudson Valley and left Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, submerged. It also followed the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which dropped record-breaking rain on the north east and killed at least 13 people in New York City.
Atmospheric scientists warn that the warming planet is causing storms to form in a hotter atmosphere, leading to more extreme rainfall. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to “get used to” the more frequent and intense storms caused by climate change. As the city began to recover from the storm, residents were left to survey the damage and begin draining the water from flooded basements.
