New York City – Rainfall of nearly 8 inches in parts of New York City caused widespread chaos on Friday, with subway and commuter rail lines knocked out, drivers stranded on highways, basements flooded, and LaGuardia Airport’s terminal shut down for hours. The downpour, which is one of the city’s wettest days in decades, led to a state of emergency being declared by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams.
According to weather and city officials, parts of Brooklyn received almost 7 inches of rain, with one area experiencing 2.5 inches in just one hour. John F. Kennedy Airport recorded nearly 8 inches, surpassing its record for any September day. The heavy rain triggered memories of Hurricane Ida, which caused significant flooding and fatalities in the city two years ago.
Although no deaths or severe injuries have been reported from the current storm, residents are facing significant property damage. Joy Wong, who lost three neighbors during Hurricane Ida, saw water reaching her front door in Queens. The building’s basement, which had been converted into a recreation room, was completely destroyed.
The torrential rain caused major disruptions to transportation systems, with almost every subway line experiencing suspensions, delays, or rerouting. Metro-North commuter rail service was suspended, while the Long Island Rail Road and bus services were also affected. Drivers on the FDR Drive were stranded as water rose above their tires.
LaGuardia Airport experienced flight cancellations and delays due to water in the refueling area, leading to the closure of one terminal for several hours. Schools remained open, but some were affected by flooding, with one school evacuating due to a smoking boiler.
The heavy rain was caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia and a mid-latitude system combining over the Atlantic Ocean. Climate scientists have noted that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent due to global warming, even in the absence of unusually high ocean or air temperatures.
As the city begins to recover from the deluge, residents are left to deal with the aftermath of flooded homes and damaged infrastructure. The incident serves as a reminder of the increasing vulnerability of cities to extreme weather events, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience measures.
