Wild images circulating on social media Friday showed flooded New York City streets caused by massive rain storms, causing New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency.
Photographs and videos on X showed cars halfway submerged underwater amid a warning from the National Weather Service for a “dangerous and life-threatening situation” caused by flash flooding in the region, the New York Post reported.
“Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order,” an emergency alert warned, according to the outlet.
Videos taken by cellphones showed flooding on the streets and cars struggling to get through or almost completely covered up.
The scene in Brooklyn right now as heavy rain continues to fall.@NWSNewYorkNY #nywx pic.twitter.com/UhCeenOdKD
— Nicholas Isabella (@NycStormChaser) September 29, 2023
Emergency in nyc pic.twitter.com/oNl1idC937
— EveryThing Plus ULTRA (@EveryTPlusULTRA) September 29, 2023
Marcy Ave. & Flushing Ave. in Brooklyn. Streets are worse than Ida at 8:45 AM. #flashflood #flashflooding #flooding #flood #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #brooklyn #rain #rainstorm #storm #downpoor #streetflooding pic.twitter.com/SMS37h7OVn
— Steve Kastenbaum (@SKastenbaum) September 29, 2023
Major flooding in New York!! #flashflood #flashflooding #flooding #flood #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #brooklyn #rain #rainstorm #storm #downpour #streetflooding #sel #abd #usa #BREAKING
— Musa Kayrak (@musakayrak) September 29, 2023
Some video showed the water pouring into the subway system and disrupting service in New York City, the New York Times noted.
These were some of the scenes as flash floods hit the New York City area on Friday, as more than four inches of rain fell on parts of the city. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and warned people to avoid travel.
Follow live updates for more: https://t.co/AG304EM3zM pic.twitter.com/TewjCPkU0V— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 29, 2023
New York City is flooded today. This is the morning commute on an @MTA bus. Half of all subway lines are suspended or delayed. NY governor has declared an emergency. And yet, Mayor of NYC Eric Adams appears totally absent. #newyork
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) September 29, 2023
There’s also one post with overhead footage showing a car driving through the massive amount of water. More rain is expected throughout the day, the Post noted.
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
In one video on X from the Post, water rushed down the staircase of the subway system like a waterfall.
The downpour of rain is turning NYC into a raging river. 🌊 https://t.co/o8Ni7gjBGF pic.twitter.com/wkG1QlZMwW
— New York Post (@nypost) September 29, 2023
Other images showed people trying to walk through the streets in waist-high water.
🚨 Extreme flooding in Brooklyn NYC, Situation turning out of control 👀 pic.twitter.com/gVFZyxPNkN
— HumanDilemma (@HumanDilemma_) September 29, 2023
Later in the day, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a “Flash Flood Warning including The Bronx NY, Yonkers NY and New Rochelle NY until 4:00 PM EDT.”
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Flash Flood Warning including The Bronx NY, Yonkers NY and New Rochelle NY until 4:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/D4vkyYmAcO
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) September 29, 2023
In another post retweeted by the NWS in New York, the agency warned that flash flooding had caused “4-6” inches of rain to fall and an “additional 2-4” inches of rain was possible.
“Flash flooding is already occurring. Avoid travel,” it added. “Move to higher ground. If in a basement, move to higher floor.”
Flash Flood Warning for BK, QN, MN extended to 2:30 PM. 4-6" of rain has fallen. Addit'l 2-4" of rain possible, with rates of 1-2"/hour. Flash flooding is already occurring. Avoid travel. Move to higher ground. If in a basement, move to higher floor. https://t.co/oBGvYAYGD9 https://t.co/BnMFEbESKe
— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) September 29, 2023
Hochul said earlier in the day that she was “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.”
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
“Please take steps to stay safe and remember to never attempt to travel on flooded roads,” she added.
