Western Reader
New York City has declared a state of emergency as it prepares for up to seven inches of rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia. The city’s infrastructure is being pushed to its limits as the storm continues to cause chaos on the East Coast.
Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a strong warning to residents, urging them to be extremely cautious and to avoid flooded roads. The heavy rainfall, with rates reaching one to two inches per hour, has significantly disrupted the morning commute for millions of New Yorkers.
Social media is filled with videos showing the chaotic scenes across the city, including subway stations and buses submerged in floodwaters.
BREAKING: Governor Kathy Hochul has just declared a state of emergency in New York as flash floods hit the New York City area on Friday, with more than four inches of rain falling on parts of the city. WATCH pic.twitter.com/XlCdK3KNnz
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) September 29, 2023
Brooklyn and Queens have been particularly hard hit by the storm. John F. Kennedy Airport in New York has recorded over three inches of rain since midnight, leading to the closure of Terminal A at LaGuardia due to the weather conditions.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been working tirelessly to manage the situation. Workers are checking storm drains and making necessary repairs throughout the storm.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “This is a serious storm, and we’re taking it seriously.” He further explained that despite their best efforts, some water in the subway system is inevitable.
However, Lieber assured residents that the system is designed to handle such situations and can pump out large quantities of water.
🚨🚨New York Gov. declares a State of Emergency across #NewYorkCity, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall and #flooding
NYPD is conducting water rescues this morning as parts of #NYC have flooded under heavy rain pic.twitter.com/R0j0QecVbL
— CBKNEWS (@CBKNEWS121) September 29, 2023
The downpours, caused by the remains of Tropical Storm Ophelia, have resulted in flooding in certain areas of NYC and nearby regions that are still saturated from last weekend’s storm.
The storm, which was almost a hurricane when it made landfall near Emerald Isle in North Carolina on September 24, caused power outages and flooded coastal streets. States of emergency were declared last week in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland.
The heavy rainfall is expected to continue into Saturday, saturating the tri-state area. The National Weather Service has described the situation as dangerous and life-threatening, extending a flood watch from 2 a.m. on Friday through the night.
The areas from Central New Jersey to Manhattan, Long Island, Southern Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley are forecasted to receive the most rainfall.
The potential flooding threat is particularly concerning for cities like New York, given the tragic events of Hurricane Ida in 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including a two-year-old boy, in their basement apartments.
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings