Video by Phuong Van Huynh shows a whirlpool forming above a storm drain on Brooklyn’s 4th Avenue, as floodwater engulfed cars and brought traffic to a crawl.
NEW YORK – Life-threatening flash flooding is pummeling the New York City area Friday as remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia lash the already heavily saturated region with several inches of rain in mere hours.
All of New York City’s five boroughs were under Flash Flood Warnings Friday, as torrential rains flooded streets and subway stations, causing massive system-side disruptions to rail and bus services. Impacts were especially felt in Brooklyn, where nearly 7 inches of rain had already fallen by midday.
“I want to say to all New Yorkers, this is time for heightened alertness and extreme caution,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned. “If you are home, stay home. If you are at work or school, shelter in place. For now, some of our subways are flooded, and it’s extremely difficult to move around the city.”
Rainwater flooded the B/Q 7th Avenue subway station in Brooklyn as torrential downpours caused flash flooding across New York City on Friday morning.
Widespread rain totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected throughout New York City, Long Island and Hudson Valley, with locally higher amounts up to 7 inches of rain. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall.
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A general view of a flooded street in Williamsburg, New York, United States on September 29, 2023.
(Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency) -
Cars in floodwater on the FDR highway in Manhattan, New York on September 29, 2023.
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A general view shows cars stranded in floodwater on the FDR highway in Manhattan, New York on September 29, 2023.
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A general view of a flooded street in Williamsburg, New York, United States on September 29, 2023.
(Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency) -
Cars drive along a flooded street on Church Avenue amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
A person pushes a barricade floating on a flooded E 10th Street amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
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A person walks along their flooded basement on E 10th Street amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
A person picks up a water pump in their flooded basement on E 10th Street amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
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Workers of G.A.T.E.D Academy unload sandbags to stop flooding amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
People attempt to clear a storm drain on Stratford Avenue amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
A person walks along a flooded sidewalk on Church Avenue amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
NYSDOT crews actively patrolling downstate roadways to monitor the flood conditions and clear debris from travel lanes and culverts to keep traffic and water flowing as efficiently as possible.
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Cars drive through slight flooding on Ocean Avenue amid heavy rain on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
NYSDOT crews actively patrolling downstate roadways to monitor the flood conditions and clear debris from travel lanes and culverts to keep traffic and water flowing as efficiently as possible.
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A section of the Prospect Expressway is closed during high water after heavy rain and flooding on September 29, 2023 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City.
(Spencer Platt) -
A vehicle sits submerged after it got stuck in high water on the Prospect Expressway during heavy rain and flooding on September 29, 2023 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City.
(Spencer Platt) -
A person walks away from his vehicle after it got stuck in high water on the Prospect Expressway during heavy rain and flooding on September 29, 2023 in New York City.
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Floodwaters covered the parking lot and ramps near Terminal A at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sept. 29, 2023.
(Wei Liu, LGA Weather Observer) -
People walk under umbrellas amid heavy rain on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
People stand around at the Church Avenue subway station as subway service is stopped amid heavy rain on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago) -
A general view of a flooded street in Williamsburg, New York, United States on September 29, 2023.
(Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency)
The FOX Forecast Center said rainfall rates in some storms are reaching 2 inches per hour or more. Officials in New York City said the subway system can only handle a maximum of 1 inch of rainfall per hour, and flooding may occur if it exceeds 1.5 inches – criteria easily met on Friday.
“Heavy rain will inundate transportation systems and likely cause flash flooding in some areas today,” New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said. “This means that it will be dangerous to travel, especially by car.”
Rainwater flooded an apartment building in the Washington Heights neighborhood as torrential downpours caused flash flooding across New York City on Friday morning.
Fairfield, New Jersey police illustrated one such example of the perils of driving Friday by showing one of their officers rescuing a driver who became stranded in feet of floodwaters.
Fairfield Police Department Corporal Steven D’Argenio is seen performing a water rescue of someone who was trapped in his car in a parking lot on Passaic Avenue in Essex County, New Jersey.
Others who ventured out onto the roads found several prominent highways and parkways closed due to floodwaters. In Brooklyn, multiple cars were stranded with water up to their windows on Prospect Expressway. The NWS reported closures along the Hutchison River Parkway, Bronx Run Parkway, Major Deegan Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, and even part of the FDR Drive due to floodwaters.
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It wasn’t just those traveling by trains and automobiles affected by rising waters. Parking lots and ramps were flooded at LaGuardia Airport, shutting down access to Terminal A. The airport said their airport fuel farm was also unreachable due to floods.
Currently, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said flights are still arriving and departing at area airports, although intermittent ground stops are likely as heavy rain continues lashing the region.
The FAA reports that the fuel farm is flooded and unusable at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. It’s the only jet fuel storage facility at the airport.
(FOX Weather)
“Airport staff is continuously monitoring the runways, roadways and terminals and will immediately activate water pumps if necessary,” the FAA said. “Flooding may impact the roadways surrounding the airports and police will redirect traffic. Travelers should leave ample time when heading to the airports.”
New York Public Schools remained in session Friday and officials expressed confidence they would be able to get students home safely.
“We have been in touch with all vendors, and have not heard of major issues so far,” said New York Public Schools Press Secretary Nathaniel Styer. “We are asking bus companies to leave early for pickup, and as always, to take all safety precautions.”
Styer said a portion of the city’s schools took in water, “but nothing has impacted their ability to safely educate students. Our schools have safety plans in place and prepare for days like today.”
The tri-state area, which includes New Jersey and Connecticut, is currently facing a flood threat that has resulted in flood alerts for 25.1 million people. As of Friday morning, some areas have already experienced 4-6 inches of rain, with more storms expected to come in the following hours.
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(FOX Weather)
An entire fleet of emergency trucks, deployable pumps and other equipment are on standby for a city that depends on the rails. Bus routes, bridges and tunnels are also being monitored closely. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subway system, has activated its 24-hour situation room.
(FOX Weather)
There is currently a travel advisory in effect by the New York City Emergency Management that will last until 6 a.m. on Saturday. The persistent rainstorm in the country’s biggest city has been ongoing for over 70 hours, which has contributed to the problem.
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Coastal flooding alerts stretch hundreds of miles
Concerns about coastal flooding conditions are present all along the Atlantic seaboard, reaching as far as the Carolinas and Florida. These issues include persistent winds, residual energy from the recent tropical storm, and a particularly problematic factor: the full moon, which results in king tides.
Be sure to download the free FOX Weather app and enable notifications to be sent an alert if warnings are issued in your area.
Coastal flooding was seen in Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday morning.
(Brandy Campbell / FOX Weather)
Source: Fox News
