Heavy Rains Paralyze New York

Heavy rains overnight in the northeastern United States left parts of New York under water on Friday, partially paralyzing subways and airports in America’s financial capital.

LaGuardia Airport Terminal Closure

LaGuardia airport closed down one of its terminals, with social media images showing passengers walking through water well above the tops of their shoes.

Mayor Adams' Warning

Mayor Eric Adams urged people not to venture out because the streets were blocked and subway stations flooded.

“If you are home, stay home. If you are at work or school, shelter in place for now, some of our subways are flooded and it’s extremely difficult to move around the city,” he said.

Impact on the City

Images from around New York showed cars half-submerged and traffic snarled, with some major roads completely blocked.

Shopkeepers in flooded stores were trying to protect merchandise and push the water back into the streets.

Subway System Disruption

The sprawling New York subway system was also hit, with several lines closed in Brooklyn.

Cab driver Ahmed Abdou, 50, originally from Egypt, blasted officials for struggling to cope with what he said was a regular phenomenon.

Climate Change's Role

Rohit Aggarwala Overall, the city’s Environmental Protection Commissioner, said global warming had advanced faster than the city could act.

“This changing weather pattern is the result of climate change. And the sad reality is our climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can respond,” Overall said.

State of Emergency

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared an official state of emergency for the city of 8.5 million and its densely-populated suburbs, including Long Island to the east and the Hudson River valley to the north.

Weather Warnings

The National Weather Service warned of flooding through late Friday with as much as two inches (5.1 centimeters) of rain falling per hour.

It said total accumulation on Friday could hit seven inches (18 centimeters), warning of flash flooding in urban and poor drainage areas.

Subway Challenges

In the subway — one of the world’s largest systems with 420 stations and more than 30 lines — water poured down the steps and through the ceilings of some stations.

The subway is essential to the lives of millions of city residents, but a number of lines, including in Brooklyn, were shut down because of the flooding.

Conclusion

Heavy rains and flooding in New York have once again highlighted the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather events. The impact on transportation, daily life, and the call for improved communication during such events underscore the urgent need for climate resilience and preparedness in cities worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What caused the heavy rains and flooding in New York?

The heavy rains and flooding in New York were caused by a low-pressure system along the mid-Atlantic coast, which pulled in moist air from the ocean.

2. What measures were taken by city officials during the emergency?

New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to stay home and shelter in place due to flooded streets and subway stations. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the city and its suburbs.

3. How does climate change contribute to extreme weather events like this?

Rohit Aggarwala Overall, the city’s Environmental Protection Commissioner, stated that the changing weather patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events are attributed to climate change, which is outpacing the city's infrastructure capacity to respond effectively.