NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Heavy rain drenched the New York City area Friday, prompting a cascade of weather warnings and a state of emergency in parts of New Jersey and New York State as the worst flooding in years wreaked havoc on mass transit and prompted water rescues.
Both Gov. Kathy Hochul and Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency.
Flash flood warnings were extended until at least 2:45 p.m. in Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau County, while flash flood warnings were extended until 4 p.m. for Manhattan, the Bronx and Westchester County. Flood advisories were also posted for North Jersey, the Hudson Valley and Connecticut. A flood watch is in effect for the entire area until at least late Friday.
Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley "due to the extreme rainfall we're seeing throughout the region." Meteorologists described the flooding as "historic" and "disastrous."
At a news conference with Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams also declared a state of emergency for the city. "This is a dangerous weather condition, and it is not over, and I don't want those gaps in heavy rain to give the appearance that it is over. We could possibly see 8 inches of rain before the day is over."
Murphy also declared a state of emergency for New Jersey. “Throughout the state, especially in the north and central regions, we are experiencing heavy rainfalls resulting in hazardous conditions, and the rainfall is expected to accelerate in many parts of the state over the next several hours,” said Murphy. “Flooding remains a significant concern due to the heavy rains much of the state already experienced this week. Residents should stay off the roads, remain alert, and follow all safety protocols.”
Zach Iscol, the commissioner of NYC Emergency Management, confirmed Friday's rain was the worst the city has seen since Ida's historic rain in 2021. He said another 2 to 4 inches was possible after up to 6 inches fell in the morning.
No fatalities had been reported, officials said. There were at least a half-dozen rescues at basement apartments, all of them successful. Numerous drivers were also stuck in their cars for hours as roads and highways flooded.
The rain was having major impacts on mass transit, with a dozen lines suspended or partially suspended due to rainfall and flooding, especially in Brooklyn. "Subway and Metro-North service is severely disrupted due to heavy rain and flooding," the MTA warned. "Please stay home if you don't need to travel."
Priscilla Fontallio said she had been stranded in her car, which was on a piece of the highway that wasn't flooded but wasn't moving, for three hours as of 11 a.m. “Never seen anything like this in my life,” she said.
Drivers were stranded on the Cross Island Parkway for more than five hours and counting.
On a street in South Williamsburg, workers were up to their knees in water as they tried to unclog a storm drain while cardboard and other debris floated by. Similar scenes unfolded in places like low-lying Hoboken.
Other impacts included the closure of Terminal A at LaGuardia Airport "until further notice" due to extreme flooding. Thousands of cancelations, delays and other flight disruptions were reported at LaGuardia, along with JFK Airport and Newark Airport.
The extreme rainfall was impacting roadways large and small across the region, from the FDR Drive to the Belt Parkway, Cross Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway. Streets in places like Williamsburg, Brooklyn, were completely impassable as floodwaters rushed from streets to basements.
The Mets postponed their game against the Phillies. The Rangers-Islanders preseason game was also postponed.
The rain was coming down hard and fast throughout the day, with some areas see 1 to 2 inches an hour, creating extremely hazardous conditions.
A half-foot of rain had fallen in parts of Brooklyn by noon, with the Brooklyn Navy Yard experiencing a whopping 2.5 inches in just one hour, according to the city Department of Environmental Protection. Eight inches or more is possible in some areas, while a more general 2 to 4 inches is expected over a swath of the area, AccuWeather says.
Govs. Hochul and Phil Murphy directed agencies in their states to coordinate with local municipalities and respond to any flooding as it popped up.
NYC Emergency Management issued a travel advisory until Saturday morning. The department urged New Yorkers living in basement apartments to prepare to move to higher ground, two years after Ida's flooding killed more than a dozen people in the city.
The heavy rain was being caused by an area of low pressure east of the Carolinas sending tropical rains into the New York region.
Downpours will continue Friday, flooding streets and highways, and bringing the risk of flash flooding. It's otherwise breezy and chilly with a high of 63 and RealFeels in the low 50s Friday night.
Saturday will start rainy but skies may brighten later in the day. The high will be 65.
Sunday and Monday will be much more pleasant, with sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 70s to start October.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.