New York (Web Desk): Heavy downpours triggered flash flooding in New York on Friday morning, disrupting life, flights, and subway service in the United States’ (US) most populous city and turning many of its streets into small lakes.
Parts of the city's subway system have been shut down and several flights were delayed due to forced closure of LaGuardia airport terminal. Traffic halted on some major roads as water rose above car tires and some drivers abandoned their vehicles.
Towards Friday evening, the extreme rainfall eased, but officials warned that flood risks remain.
More than 7.25 inches of rain had fallen in parts of Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, by nightfall, with at least one spot seeing 2.5 inches in a single hour, according to weather and city officials.
The 8.65 inches at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport surpassed its record for any September day, a bar set during Hurricane Donna in 1960, the National Weather Service said.
[Update] It's now preliminarily the wettest calendar day on record (since 1948) at JFK.
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) September 29, 2023
Since midnight: 7.88"
Previous wettest day: 7.80" https://t.co/2kOHBg4UHG
A flash flood warning remained in effect for New York City, with the National Weather Service advising citizens to "Remember to practice flood safety- NEVER walk or drive into flood waters, turn around don't drown!"
Here's the estimated hourly precip across NYC from midnight to 11 AM today. Some locations have received up to 4-6+ inches already with additional rainfall forecast through tonight. Remember to practice flood safety- NEVER walk or drive into flood waters, turn around don't drown! pic.twitter.com/LitpHIiXLx
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) September 29, 2023
The extreme rainfall prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency for New York City, and its suburbs of Long Island and the Hudson Valley.
“Please take steps to stay safe and remember to never attempt to travel on flooded roads,” she said in a message posted on the X social media platform.
I am declaring a State of Emergency across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall we’re seeing throughout the region.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 29, 2023
Please take steps to stay safe and remember to never attempt to travel on flooded roads.
My message to New Yorkers impacted by today’s severe rain: Turn around, don’t drown.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 29, 2023
We’re expecting to see more rain throughout today & tonight. Roads are closed & public transit is delayed or suspended in many areas due to flooding.
Please avoid travel as much as possible. pic.twitter.com/zrni25rPHw
Visuals shared online show flooded streets and highways, and water pouring into subway stations and basements.
Boro Park, Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/0r3GcN3tlM
— NYScanner (@nyscanner) September 29, 2023
As the planet warms, storms are forming in a hotter atmosphere that can hold more moisture, making extreme rainfall more frequent, according to atmospheric scientists.
