New York City Paralyzed by Worst Rainfall in Decades: Subways and Airports Shut Down
New York City was hit by a torrential downpour on Friday, resulting in the worst rainfall the city has seen in decades. The heavy rain caused chaos, leading to the shutdown of subways, commuter rail lines, and airports. Streets turned into rivers, highways became impassable, and basements were flooded, causing widespread disruption and inconveniences for residents and commuters alike.
The deluge left parts of Brooklyn drenched with over 7.25 inches of rain, and in some spots, as much as 2.5 inches fell in a single hour. At John F. Kennedy Airport, a staggering 8.65 inches of rain was recorded, surpassing the previous September record set during Hurricane Donna in 1960. The National Weather Service reported that this rainfall was the result of one of the city’s wettest days in decades.
The memories of Hurricane Ida, which devastated the city two years ago and claimed the lives of 13 people, were still fresh in the minds of many New Yorkers. Although no deaths or severe injuries were reported from this latest storm, the alarming parallels were hard to ignore.
In response to the emergency situation, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams declared states of emergency and urged residents to stay put if possible. However, despite the dire conditions, schools remained open, students attended classes, and many adults ventured out to work, uncertain of how they would make it back home.
The subway system, a lifeline for millions of New Yorkers, was severely affected, with almost every line experiencing partial suspension, rerouting, or delays. Metro-North commuter rail service from Manhattan was suspended for most of the day but gradually resumed in the evening. The Long Island Rail Road faced significant disruptions, while bus services throughout the city were also impacted.
One high school student from Brooklyn, Malachi Clark, described the situation by saying, When it stops, the buses stop, you know it’s bad. Although school buses were operational, they only transport a fraction of public school students, particularly those with disabilities.
The storm’s impact reached beyond transportation. LaGuardia Airport experienced flight delays and cancellations as water flooded the refueling area. One of the airport’s terminals remained closed for hours due to the flooding. Meanwhile, a Brooklyn school was evacuated due to a smoking boiler, potentially caused by water damage.
Despite the challenges faced by the city, New Yorkers continued to persevere. Volunteers were called upon to assist with cleanup efforts at affected schools. The New York Rangers and New York Islanders even postponed a preseason hockey game due to the weather. At the Central Park Zoo, a sea lion ventured out of its overflowing pool before returning when officials closed the zoo to visitors.
This latest deluge comes just months after a storm caused deadly floods in New York’s Hudson Valley and Montpelier, the capital of Vermont. It serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
New York City will now regroup and initiate recovery efforts to get life back to normal as quickly as possible. As the city continues to grapple with climate change and its consequences, the focus falls on implementing sustainable measures to mitigate the impact of future weather events and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
