Several major roadways were completely shut down and subways and trains were disrupted due to heavy rain in the New York City Metro area in September. Gov. Kathy Hochul called the flooding “historic,” comparing the devastation to “Hurricane Ida-level waters.”
The FDR Drive was completely shut down in Lower Manhattan, as well as sections of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in both Queens and Brooklyn. The Belt Parkway was also shut down in both directions near the Verrazzano Bridge.
Brooklyn’s subways were hit particularly hard by the flooding, since the storm hit that borough first, and for a prolonged duration in the morning. Metro-North service was also suspended in both directions on the Harlem & New Haven lines and LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal A was closed. The NYPD said FDR Drive and Delancy Street were closed in both directions for a time.
In Westchester County, the Hutchinson River Parkway, Major Deegan Expressway, Saw Mill River Parkway and Bronx River Parkway were also completely closed.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for NYC, Long Island and the Hudson Valley. Mayor Eric Adams echoed the state of emergency for the city, asking people to shelter in place, if possible.
Scientists say these types of floods will become more common (and extreme) in the years ahead, as the effects of climate change worsen. Prior to the storm, MTA officials said water in the system would be inevitable, especially with flash flooding.
Visit https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/weather/ for forecasts and weather alerts.
Source: CBS New York
