New York City: Rescues Made As Flash Floods Swept Many Areas; Transport Also Interrupted

Rescues have been made in New York City after heavy rains inundated much of the area.

(Photo : Getty Images/Ed Jones)

Authorities have rescued at least 15 individuals from vehicles that cannot pass through deep floods, while they also evacuated at least six people from flooded basement apartments.

The floods brought by torrential rains have disrupted the transportation system.

State of emergency

New York City Mayor Eric Adams vowed that the local government would continue providing assistance to those affected by the heavy rains and massive floods.

Adams noted that the New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) has remained in an active response posture as it leads interagency coordination efforts to address the historic citywide flooding, which started early Friday morning.

Adams said that the NYCEM has been working with other offices and agencies to address the range of impacts that the bad weather had created.

"Their efforts have been crucial in the city's comprehensive response strategy, extending its reach and effectiveness across affected communities to all five boroughs," the NYC mayor said.

New York City had encountered widespread flash floods starting from the early hours of Friday into early Friday afternoon, with a huge amount of rainfall continued even during the evening.

Records have shown that the Central Park recorded about 5.8 inches of rain, and John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) witnessed roughly 8.5 and 4.9 inches, respectively.

Furthermore, the National Weather Service had initially reported that the JFK had its wettest day on record since August 14, 2011.

Authorities said that the three locations could end up with top-10 all-time daily records, depending on how much additional rainfall would occur.

Officials noted that this marks the second highest daily rainfall ever recorded at the JFK, and the highest daily amount in September that was previously set by Hurricane Donna in 1960, according to weather experts at the NWS.

They added that both Central Park and LGA measurements are top-10 amounts, and the rainfall was forecasted to continue.

Due to the situation, Adams already declared a State of Emergency to ensure the safety of New York residents.

The city's Department of Transportation has closely monitored roadway floods as it also coordinates with New York Police Department.

Crews and teams have extended assistance with tow trucks on highways in order to remove disabled vehicles as well as to clear catch basins on highways, fallen tree branches, and any other debris.

Residents of the city are also advised to stay off the roads and avoid traveling as much as possible so that responders can clear areas affected by flooding.

A flood warning has remained in effect over Bronx and Westchester County due to the continued threat of flash floods in those areas.

State agencies will continue to provide support to local governments as needed.

Extraordinary floods

Governor Kathy Hochul branded the floods as "unimaginable," noting that this phenomenon was a result of climate change.

"I called them once in a century storms. But this is the third time since I was sworn in two years ago I've had a once in a century storm. This includes the historic flooding we had in the Hudson Valley this summer, which was deemed a 1000-year flooding event. So, it's Mother Nature at her most powerful," Hochul said.

She further thanked the first responders who did show up and made 28 rescues in the raging water in the Hudson Valley and in the Long Island.

Hochul vowed that aside from the state's main goal to protect the residents, it would also look after the infrastructure of trains and subways