NEW YORK – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley as Friday’s strong storm brought flooding and damage across the area.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams asked for city residents to shelter in place temporarily during the worst of the storm.
Significant flooding was reported throughout New York City and beyond. In Brooklyn, cars were seen almost totally submerged in Park Slope.
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.
Please take steps to stay safe and remember to never attempt to travel on flooded roads.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 29, 2023
Mayor Adams declares State of Emergency, asks NYC residents to shelter in place
Adams said New York City is under a State of Emergency for the city.
“I want to say to all New Yorkers, this is time for heightened alertness and extreme caution. If you are home, stay home. If you are at work or school, shelter in place for now,” Adams said. “Some of our subways are flooded, and it’s extremely difficult to move around the city.”
Adams called the weather “dangerous” and said it’s not over.
“We could possibly see eight inches of rain before the day is over,” Adams said.
By 11:20 a.m., more than five inches of rain had fallen in Central Park since midnight.
Adams said that every New York City agency has a plan in place for the situation and is executing those plans.
“This is a time for caution, but it is also a time for community,” Adams said. “Check on neighbors. Do whatever is possible to unclog drain areas to allow the water to flow freely. You would be surprised how, if we remove leaves and other trash from those areas, it would really assist in getting water off our streets. Check on your friends, your relatives, and especially those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly and individuals with health conditions.”
Hochul said the epicenter of the storm has since headed north toward Hudson Valley. She urged extreme caution to anyone thinking of driving in the rain.
“I will say this. If people decide to venture out in a vehicle, they do so at their own peril. Because even six inches of rain, one foot of rain may look pretty innocuous, it’s safe, but that is a condition where your vehicle can be swept away. We lose more lives of people during flooding events, of which we’ve had many, especially this summer in the city and the Hudson Valley in particular. The reason people lose their lives in a flooding event, more often than not, is they’re swept away in their vehicle,” Hochul said. “So this is a choice people make. We encourage them not to decide to do that. Please stay home, be safe.”
“The storm picked up significantly soon after 7 a.m., and I think New Yorkers should be aware that between 8 and 9 a.m. the Brooklyn Navy Yard received 2.58 inches of rain in one hour,” DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said. “Our sewer system was designed for 1.75 inches per hour. And so, it’s no surprise, unfortunately as a result, that that part of Brooklyn, and a couple of other, particularly, parts of Brooklyn, have borne the brunt of this.”
Video shows flooding across New York City
Brooklyn and Queens seemed to get particularly hard hit Friday morning, although there were many reports of damage and flooding throughout New York City.
Around 8:30 a.m., emergency responders were on the scene of a partial roof collapse at a warehouse in Lexington Avenue between Classon and Franklin Avenues in Brooklyn. Fortunately all workers at the warehouse were accounted for, according to the FDNY.
In Windsor Terrace, neighbors said a tenant living in a basement apartment along Sherman Avenue managed to get out as his apartment began to flood.
I hope the City can help with this serious flooding situation in Brooklyn right now. #nyc #rain pic.twitter.com/gddRCSAy7H
— Jonathan Gardner (@thejongardner) September 29, 2023
Heavy rain brought flooding conditions at Walton Street between Union and Harrison Avenues. Water have overtaken the sidewalk and appeared to partially flood parked cars there.
Flooding on Walton St between Union Ave & Harrison Ave. pic.twitter.com/ovsvRoz9uX
— WILLIAMSBURG NEWS (@WMSBG) September 29, 2023
Significant flooding was reported in southern Brooklyn. Video posted to X also showed flooding near Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street.
At Smith and Ninth Street, there was major flooding.
Major flooding in Brooklyn today. Trains shut down and the only way out of the station is through this. pic.twitter.com/yQPLOyc6dX
— Seth Chinnis (@sethchinnis) September 29, 2023
“My team & I are aware of widespread flooding & dangerous conditions across [Brooklyn]. Like many [New Yorkers], we’ve spent our mornings stranded on subways & buses, but we’re in communication [with] the offices of the mayor & governor & monitoring where conditions are worst,” Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
My team & I are aware of widespread flooding & dangerous conditions across BK. Like many NYers, we’ve spent our mornings stranded on subways & buses, but we’re in communication w/ the offices of the Mayor & Governor & monitoring where conditions are worst. We’ll provide updates.
— Antonio Reynoso (@BKBPReynoso) September 29, 2023
The flooding and damage and impact wasn’t limited to just Brooklyn, of course.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) September 29, 2023
The FDR was closed in both directions at Delancey Street in Manhattan due to flooding.
The Belt Parkway was also closed in both directions at Exit 6 – Cropsey Avenue, the NYPD said.
There were extensive disruptions to subway and other mass transit service.
- Click here for an update on subway, mass transit and flight disruptions
- Click here to check the latest on the forecast
New York City public schools remained open.
Video posted to social media from across the area was shocking. Flooded intersections were spotted in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Flooded Bushwick pic.twitter.com/nlTiaHxWIF
— Ian Ford (@ianfford) September 29, 2023
The Prospect Park Expressway experienced significant flooding, with at least one car stalled out.
Crossing the street in Kensington, Brooklyn this morning and seeing the flooded Prospect Expressway pic.twitter.com/4WsHR3rBkB
— Liz Herron-Sweet (@eherronsweet) September 29, 2023
The Wildlife Conservation Society closed the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and New York Aquarium due to the emergency.
Stay with us as we continue to cover this weather emergency.
The post Watch live: State of Emergency in effect as storm brings flooding, damage to New York City and beyond appeared first on CBS News.
