New York City: State of emergency declared over flash flooding
Observe: Video footage depicts flooding overwhelming the city of New York.
New York City is in a state of emergency due to the intense storms causing flash flooding.
Numerous subway systems, roads, and highways in the city experienced flooding, and LaGuardia Airport had to shut down one of its terminals on Friday.
According to statements by the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, certain regions experienced rainfall of approximately five inches (12.7cm) overnight, and an additional seven inches (17.8cm) are expected.
She said this storm is hazardous and can threaten lives.
On X, formerly recognized as Twitter, she announced that she was announcing a state of emergency in New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the overwhelming amount of rainfall in the area.
She advised individuals to take precautions to ensure their safety and to "avoid any attempt to traverse flooded roads".
There have been no reports of any fatalities or severe injuries.
The town of Hoboken, which is situated opposite New York City, has also been proclaimed in a state of emergency.
The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, advised individuals to be extra vigilant and take extreme precautions since the state of emergency was implemented.
During a media briefing, he mentioned that some of our underground trains are inundated with water, which is making it exceedingly challenging for people to navigate through the city.
According to the officials, a minimum of six rescues of inhabitants who were held captive in water-filled basements has been carried out by the government authorities until now.
Images and clips revealed individuals moving through water that had risen up to their knees, while roads and underground rail lines were affected by strong rain. Many videos uploaded to online platforms displayed water streaming down from the top and sides of train stations, causing the platforms to become flooded.
The majority of the flood damage has been focused on the area of Brooklyn up until now.
Brooklyn Navy Yard received rainfall measuring more than 2.5 inches in just an hour. During a virtual meeting, the top climate official of New York, Rohit Aggarwala, stated that the municipal sewage system was created to cover 1.75 inches of rainfall per hour.
"It comes as no shock that certain areas within Brooklyn have faced the majority of the repercussions," he expressed.
According to the BBC, Kelly Hayes, a resident from Gowanus, shared that the flooding ruined her bar and kitchen. She approximates that repairing the damage would require $25,000 to $30,000 (£20,500-$24,500).
People in New York City flee from the increasing floods.
The MTA recommended that individuals avoid unnecessary travel by staying home.
According to officials, the flooding has resulted in the closure of Terminal A at La Guardia Airport.
Travelers were recommended to confirm with their airline before embarking on their journey.
The New York City Police Department has declared many roadway closures and confirmed the deployment of the National Guard.
The FDR Drive, a significant road running alongside the eastern side of Manhattan, experienced a severe traffic jam due to water levels exceeding the height of car tires.
Down in South Williamsburg located in Brooklyn, laborers were stepping through water that was up to their knees. They were attempting to remove the blockage from a drain while cardboard and various other debris flowed past them on the surface of the water.
As of noon, according to city officials, there have been no fatalities or serious injuries caused by the storm.
At present, the weather service has issued flood warnings and advisories that cover around 18 million individuals residing in the New York metropolitan region and other significant cities on the East Coast.
The National Weather Service data revealed that New York City received almost 14 inches of rainfall this month, making it the rainiest September since the year 1882.
