New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley have been declared in a state of emergency by Governor Kathy Hochul following “extreme rainfall” that led to widespread flooding across the northeast region.
Reports indicate that some areas received up to 13cm (five inches) of rain overnight, with an anticipated 18cm (seven inches) more expected throughout the day. On Friday, Governor Hochul used X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the state of emergency, cautioning residents about the life-threatening nature of the storm. Her message to New Yorkers emphasized the lethal nature of the floodwaters.
The incessant rainfall disrupted large portions of NYC’s subway system, flooding both streets and highways. Notably, one of the three terminals at LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, was shut down. Delays, reroutes, or suspensions affected almost all subway lines, and two out of three Metro-North Railroad lines were halted.
Approximately 23 million individuals across parts of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut were under flood watches on Friday morning. Flash flood warnings were also issued for various areas including Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and parts of New Jersey, as reported by NBC.
The aftermath of the flooding was evident on social media, showing water gushing into subway stations and streets transformed into mini lakes. Zack Taylor, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, advised against travel until the weather improves. The severe conditions during rush hour prompted some drivers to abandon their vehicles, especially on FDR Drive, a significant route on Manhattan’s east side. A stranded driver, Priscilla Fontallio, recounted the unprecedented nature of the flood, noting that she had “never seen anything like this.”
Governor Hochul stressed that the New York region would need to adapt to such extreme weather events, pointing to climate change as a significant factor. Interestingly, this flooding event follows a massive protest in Manhattan where approximately 15,000 demonstrators called for an end to fossil fuels before the UN General Assembly on 18 September. The demonstration was organized by Climate Group, a charity driving action against climate change, as part of a week-long global campaign, with over 500 protests planned across 54 countries.
