NYC Flooding — Monday night turned into a watery nightmare for New Yorkers as a freak storm dumped over two inches of rain in just one hour — marking the second-wettest hour in city history. The sudden downpour brought subway service to a grinding halt, flooded streets, and even forced commuters to stand on train seats to avoid rising water.
According to FOX meteorologist Christopher Tate, 2.07 inches of rain fell between 6:51 p.m. and 7:51 p.m. in Central Park, as per NY Post. Only Hurricane Ida in 2021 had a heavier hourly downpour.
It didn’t take long for chaos to unfold. In Manhattan, water poured into the 28th Street subway station, trapping passengers on the 1 train. One video captured the conductor radioing in, saying, “I can’t open the doors, it’s not safe.”Meanwhile, passengers tried to keep dry by standing on seats as water pooled inside.
The MTA suspended the 1, 2, and 3 lines, with major delays on several others, including the A, B, C, D, M, and R. According to MTA Chairman Janno Lieber, the city’s sewer system was overwhelmed, causing water to back up into subway tunnels. In some areas, the pressure was so high it caused manholes to burst open, creating geysers of water captured in dramatic videos.
“The system is only designed to handle about 1.75 inches of rain per hour,” said Rohit Aggarwala, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Monday night’s rainfall far exceeded that, leaving infrastructure buckling under pressure.
Across the city, cars were half-submerged, sidewalks turned into rushing rivers, and ceiling leaks forced businesses to close early. Parts of the Cross Bronx Expressway and Saw Mill River Parkway were shut down, and all three major airports — JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark — experienced significant flight delays.
NYC Flooding Deaths and Injuries
Despite the chaos, no injuries or deaths were reported in NYC, according to Mayor Eric Adams. He credited first responders and residents for staying alert and avoiding unnecessary travel. “Because people listened… we avoided greater harm,” he said.
However, New Jersey wasn’t as fortunate. Two women lost their lives in Plainfield after their vehicle was swept into Cedar Brook by fast-moving floodwaters. Authorities said emergency crews couldn’t reach them in time. Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency and urged residents to remain indoors.
In nearby North Plainfield, a house caught fire and collapsed shortly after a family had evacuated — believed to be caused by an explosion. No injuries were reported in that incident.
What’s especially concerning is how often this is now happening. According to Nick Bassill of the NYS Weather Risk Communication Center, these flash flood events were once expected every five years — but now, they seem to occur annually or even multiple times a year.
The city has already identified over 45 flood-prone subway stations, and discussions about improving stormwater infrastructure are ongoing. But real change comes at a cost — an estimated $30 billion and 15 to 20 years to upgrade the system to handle modern climate patterns.
For now, NYC Flooding stands as another warning that NYC’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up with a changing climate — and the next storm may not be far behind.
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