Heavy overnight rains have partially paralyzed New York, with cars half-submerged and traffic at a standstill, resulting in severe disruption to commuters. The city witnessed one of its wettest days in decades, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency for multiple areas. The deluge has turned roads and highways into rivers, affecting millions across the metro area, the US financial capital, who have been stranded at home or work.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has suspended subway trains in Brooklyn and the borough of Queens due to flooding and other weather-related issues. The agency is monitoring the situation and working to clear and reopen as soon as possible.
The MTA’s subway system is a lifeline for New York’s 8.5 million residents. The city’s mayor, Eric Adams, appealed for people to stay home and not go out unless necessary. “If you’re at home, stay in place for now; some of our subways are flooded, and it’s tough to get around the city,” he said.
In Brooklyn, several subway lines are closed as water poured down steps and through the ceilings of some stations. The MTA said it checks the condition of tracks, platforms, and overhead structures in affected stations.
The deluge came after Tropical Storm Ophelia swept through the Northeast, leaving behind record-breaking rainfall in the New York region. It also caused deadly floods in New York’s Hudson Valley and Vermont’s capital, Montpelier.
A low-pressure system along the Mid-Atlantic coast pulled in ocean moisture, leading to intense rainfall. New York City’s John F. Kennedy Airport recorded nearly eight inches of rain since midnight, making it the wettest day since records began in 1948.
At Grand Central Terminal, retiree Sue Evangelista waited five hours for a train to take her home to Connecticut. A 63-year-old, she said she was “torn in half” after the delay.
Flooding also wreaked havoc on the city’s commuter rail and bus routes. According to the MTA, several Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road lines were suspended entirely, rerouted or running with delays. Before heading to the station, commuters were told to check with their service providers.
Hundreds of flights have been delayed at New York’s LaGuardia airport, with flyers forced to wade through floodwaters as they tried to enter the terminals. Footage of the scene was shared on social media.
At least 13 people have been killed by the severe flooding, mainly in Brooklyn and Queens, where the waters ripped apart homes. The death toll was expected to rise. The deluge has also left thousands of drivers stranded on the highways, with many roads in Manhattan being impassable. The rain has forced the closure of several bridges and tunnels in the city. The National Weather Service has warned of flash flooding in urban and poor drainage areas and on quick-responding small rivers, streams, and creeks.