Severe Storm Brings NYC Under Water as Commute Grinds to a Halt
A powerful storm swept through New York City on Thursday, drenching the five boroughs in heavy rain and strong winds that caused widespread flooding, disruptions to public transportation, and a chaotic evening commute. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for much of the city, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour in some areas.
The storm's fury was on full display as wind gusts reached up to 50 mph, prompting bridge closures and scattered power outages, particularly on Staten Island. Central Park saw a record-breaking 1.80 inches of rain fall during the day, shattering its previous record set in 1917, while LaGuardia Airport also broke its own record with 1.97 inches of rain.
The storm took a deadly toll as two men lost their lives in flooded basements across the city. The torrential downpour overwhelmed the city's drainage system, leaving residents scrambling to avoid flooding and secure their property.
Transportation suffered significantly as well, with multiple train lines delayed due to flooding. The G line was suspended for part of the afternoon between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square while crews cleared water from the tracks. Ferry service on Staten Island was also briefly halted during the storm.
Roads became rivers as flooding snarled traffic throughout the city. The westbound Belt Parkway closed temporarily near 65th Street in Brooklyn, while the Long Island Expressway shut down for a time in Queens before reopening later that evening. Flight delays persisted at JFK and LaGuardia airports due to ground stops earlier in the day.
As the storm subsided, city agencies urged residents to exercise caution, advising them to stay off flooded streets, secure outdoor items, and avoid basement apartments vulnerable to flooding. Contractors and property owners were also advised to tie down scaffolding and loose materials to prevent damage.
A coastal flood statement was issued for southern Queens through early Friday morning, warning of minor flooding along shoreline roads and properties due to high tides. A wind advisory remained in effect for all five boroughs into early Saturday, with gusts expected to continue at 25-40 mph.
By Friday morning, conditions were forecast to dry out, with clear but blustery weather expected for Halloween and this weekend's New York City Marathon.
A powerful storm swept through New York City on Thursday, drenching the five boroughs in heavy rain and strong winds that caused widespread flooding, disruptions to public transportation, and a chaotic evening commute. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for much of the city, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour in some areas.
The storm's fury was on full display as wind gusts reached up to 50 mph, prompting bridge closures and scattered power outages, particularly on Staten Island. Central Park saw a record-breaking 1.80 inches of rain fall during the day, shattering its previous record set in 1917, while LaGuardia Airport also broke its own record with 1.97 inches of rain.
The storm took a deadly toll as two men lost their lives in flooded basements across the city. The torrential downpour overwhelmed the city's drainage system, leaving residents scrambling to avoid flooding and secure their property.
Transportation suffered significantly as well, with multiple train lines delayed due to flooding. The G line was suspended for part of the afternoon between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square while crews cleared water from the tracks. Ferry service on Staten Island was also briefly halted during the storm.
Roads became rivers as flooding snarled traffic throughout the city. The westbound Belt Parkway closed temporarily near 65th Street in Brooklyn, while the Long Island Expressway shut down for a time in Queens before reopening later that evening. Flight delays persisted at JFK and LaGuardia airports due to ground stops earlier in the day.
As the storm subsided, city agencies urged residents to exercise caution, advising them to stay off flooded streets, secure outdoor items, and avoid basement apartments vulnerable to flooding. Contractors and property owners were also advised to tie down scaffolding and loose materials to prevent damage.
A coastal flood statement was issued for southern Queens through early Friday morning, warning of minor flooding along shoreline roads and properties due to high tides. A wind advisory remained in effect for all five boroughs into early Saturday, with gusts expected to continue at 25-40 mph.
By Friday morning, conditions were forecast to dry out, with clear but blustery weather expected for Halloween and this weekend's New York City Marathon.
. And the wind... 50 mph? That’s wild. I was worried about my neighbor's cat when I saw his windows open and the water just pouring in 
. I don’t know how they expect people to deal with that kind of flooding, it’s just not safe at all. And two guys lost their lives... that’s just heartbreaking 
. The trains and ferries getting suspended too was a huge headache for commuters, I feel bad for those guys who were stuck in the subway 
. Anyway, glad everyone is being cautious now, fingers crossed nothing else gets damaged 
.
️ how much did it cost to fix the drainage system again? its like we just gotta pay and pay every time theres a big storm 
the flooding is crazy! Who needs a umbrella when you got 2 inches of rain an hour? 
Need to check on my fam ASAP 
2 guys lost their lives in flooded basements ugh that's so tragic 
and the traffic? forget about it 
hope everyone can make it through this weekend without too much trouble 
The rain was coming down so hard it felt like it wasn't going to stop. I'm just glad my family is safe, but a lot of people aren't as lucky 
And let me tell you, those wind gusts were NO JOKE - up to 50mph? That's like riding a bike on the Brooklyn Bridge! 
️ And LaGuardia Airport broke its own record too - crazy!
The city's drainage system was overwhelmed, and residents had to scramble to stay safe.
And roads became rivers... literally! 
Ugh, that storm was crazy! 
. And the transportation? Forget about it! 
Multiple train lines delayed and ferry service halted... I know some folks were really struggling to get around. 
That's gotta be super stressful during a storm like that. 
. But at the same time, it's like, come on Mother Nature... can't we have a calm day for once? 
Anyway, gotta give props to the city agencies for being proactive and warning people about the flood risks 
flooding everywhere, like literally can't even get a coffee 
and 2 ppl lost their lives in flooded basements, that's wild 
, but at the same time, like, shouldn't we be prepared 4 this kinda thing? 
road closures and flight delays, u can just imagine how stressful that must be for ppl tryin to get around 
. hope everythin gets back 2 normal soon 