State of Emergency Declared in Northeast Following Flooding
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared states of emergency Thursday as torrential rains swept through the metro area, stranding vehicles, shutting down transit lines and canceling hundreds of flights.
A flood watch remained in effect throughout the morning. Officials warned of up to 2 inches of rain per hour and urged residents in basement apartments to relocate.
“We are prepared,” Hochul said in a statement, citing pre-positioned water rescue teams and open emergency stockpiles.
Major road closures included the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive, Cross Island Parkway and sections of the Long Island Expressway. The Long Island Rail Road’s Port Washington Branch was suspended due to flooding.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority deployed pumps and emergency crews to subway stations vulnerable to flash floods. CEO Janno Lieber said the system handles millions of gallons of water daily but is increasingly stressed by climate-intensified rainfall. City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rit Aggarwal said storm basins were actively monitored.
Philadelphia, New Jersey and Maryland faced similar conditions.
The storm marks another extreme weather event during a summer of heavy rainfall. Hourly rainfall intensity has increased in nearly 90% of large U.S. cities since 1970, reflecting the growing toll of climate change on urban infrastructure, according to a report from CNN.
Source: CNN, Newyork1.com