New York City was hit by flash floods on Friday, September 29, following a week of heavy rainfall. The torrential downpours led to the disruption of subway services, the inundation of ground-level apartments, and the transformation of streets into small lakes. Within just hours, nearly eight inches (20 cm) of rain poured down on several parts of the city. The excessive rainfall even caused a sea lion at Central Park Zoo to briefly escape its enclosure.
The situation prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency for the city, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. The floods were deemed life-threatening, leading to the deployment of National Guard troops to assist in emergency response efforts. In Mamaroneck, a suburb north of the city, officials used inflatable rafts to rescue individuals trapped in flooded buildings.
The New York subway system and Metro North commuter rail service were severely impacted by the flooding. The Metropolitan Transportation Agency reported major disruptions, with some subway lines suspended entirely and numerous stations closed. As a result, many bus routes experienced significant delays, leaving passengers stranded for several hours. Authorities advised New Yorkers to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in flooded areas.
Intense rainstorms like the one on Friday have become increasingly common in various parts of the United States, including the New York City area. Climate scientists attribute this trend to global warming, which has led to more extreme weather patterns worldwide.
The rain that fell on Friday capped off one of the wettest Septembers on record for New York City. By 11 a.m. on Friday, a staggering 13.74 inches (34.9 cm) of rain had been recorded for the month, with more expected before the storm system moved out to sea. The all-time September rainfall record of 16.82 inches (42.72 cm) was set in 1882.
Amid the severe weather warnings, New York City’s public schools remained open for the day. While some buildings experienced flooding, operations were unaffected. However, Bronxville, a suburban district just north of the city, dismissed its students early due to worsening flooding conditions.
Residents like Patti Zhang from New Hyde Park had to face the challenging weather. She and her children walked to the nearby elementary school, braving deep water pooling in the streets. Zhang recounted how the water reached a height of 5 inches (13 cm), overflowing her children’s rain boots. She had to make an additional trip to the school, bringing dry shoes and socks for her kids. Frustrated, she wondered when the relentless rainfall would finally cease.
In addition to causing chaos on the streets, floodwaters marooned vehicles and poured into subway stations, disrupting the daily commute for millions of New Yorkers. Mohammed Doha, a construction worker living in a low-lying neighborhood known as The Hole, lamented the lack of a proper drainage system in the area, blaming it for the ongoing suffering of residents during such events.
Mayor Eric Adams defended the response efforts of his administration, emphasizing that all necessary precautions had been taken. However, neighboring Hoboken, located across the Hudson River, declared a state of emergency due to extensive flooding.
The deluge on Friday followed a bout of heavy rain and strong winds from Tropical Storm Ophelia’s remnants over the previous weekend. That storm had already soaked New York City and caused power outages in several states.
As intermittent rain continued throughout the week, the ground became saturated, setting the stage for flash flooding conditions.
The flash floods in New York City serve as a reminder of the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. The consequences of global warming and climate change are becoming more pronounced, affecting the lives of millions of people worldwide. While cities like New York strive to adapt and respond to these challenges, it remains crucial for governments to prioritize climate action and invest in resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impact of future weather events.
