A state of emergency has been issued in New York City due to flash floods(VIDEO)

 

As a result of powerful storms bringing flash floods, a state of emergency has been issued in New York City.

Numerous of the city's subways, streets, and highways have flooded, and at least one LaGuardia Airport terminal was shuttered on Friday before being reopened on Saturday.

In certain areas of the city, up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain fell, but by evening, the sky had begun to clear a little.

Kathy Hochul, the governor, declared that the storm was serious and life-threatening.

Gov. Hochul announced the emergency on X, formerly known as Twitter. "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," Hochul stated.To keep safe, she warned people to "never attempt to travel on flooded roads."

There have been no recorded fatalities or serious injuries.

In Hoboken, New Jersey, which is located immediately across the Hudson River from New York City, a state of emergency was also issued.

As the state of emergency was declared, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City issued a warning, urging "heightened alertness and extreme caution" from everyone.

He stated at a press conference that "some of our subways are flooded and it is very difficult to move around the city."

Mr. Adams reported that there had been three basement apartment rescues and 15 car rescues on Friday evening to CBS, the BBC's US partner.

Gov. Hochul cautioned that "we're still in the throes of it" despite the rain ceasing later on Friday.

She told CNN, "My biggest worry right now is that people will see a break in the rain and get in their cars."

According to the Metropolitan Transportation Agency, flooding significantly affected both the Metro North commuter rail service and New York City's subway system. Numerous stations were shuttered, and some subway lines were completely suspended.

According to Reuters, emergency personnel used inflatable rafts to rescue people who were trapped in buildings due to flooding in Mamaroneck, a suburb of the city in Westchester County.

People could be seen wading through knee-deep water in pictures and videos taken as streets and subways were inundated with rain. Several videos shared on social media appeared to show water gushing onto flooded platforms from the roof and walls of subway stations.

In one hour, Brooklyn Navy Yard received more than 2.5 inches of rain. According to Rohit Aggarwala, chief climate officer for New York, the sewage infrastructure in the city was only built to manage 1.75 inches of rain per hour.

It comes as no surprise that Brooklyn has taken the biggest hit, he said.

Workers walked under knee-deep water to try to unclog a drain in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as cardboard and other trash drifted by.

Kelly Hayes, a resident of the Gowanus neighborhood, told the BBC that she expected the flood damage to her bar and kitchen to cost between $25,000 and $30,000 (£20,500-$24,500).

Authorities reported that flooding at La Guardia Airport caused the closure of Terminal A.

Before departing, passengers were encouraged to confirm with their airline.

The New York Police Department also reported that numerous roads had been shut down and that the National Guard had been called in.

Along a section of the FDR Drive, a significant route along the east side of Manhattan, traffic came to a complete stop as water rose past the tires of the vehicles.

According to data from the National Weather Service, New York City has already experienced nearly 14 inches of rain this month, making it the wettest September since 1882.

BBC