New York governor declares state of emergency
Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley amid the heavy downpour currently faced by residents of the Greater New York City area.
“I am declaring a State of Emergency in New York City, the Hudson Valley and Long Island in response to the significant, dangerous rainfall that is currently impacting the region and is expected to continue for the next 20 hours,” said Hochul.
“Ahead of this storm we deployed thousands of State personnel and I have directed all State agencies to provide all necessary resources to address this extreme weather event. It is critical that all New Yorkers take all necessary precautions and avoid flooded roads, which are some of the most dangerous places during flash floods,” she added.
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
Widespread three to five inches of total rain is expected through Friday across the areas, with locally higher amounts up to seven inches of rain, Hochul’s office announced. Additionally, rainfall rates are anticipated to be one inch per hour.
“Governor Hochul instructed the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to stage flood rescue teams in Nassau and Westchester counties, where they will be ready for rapid deployment in the event of a flash flood emergency requiring rescues,” it added.
Key events
“Leave your home if you’re starting to see water accumulate,” warned Hochul.
“Don’t wait until it’s up to your knees or higher,” she added, saying, “People need to be taking this seriously.”
“We’re here to help New Yorkers get through what is a life-threatening rainfall event,” said governor Kathy Hochul who also joined the press conference.
“Priority number one [is] to make sure that our subways and our rail systems are safe. There have been significant disruption without a doubt,” she said.
“If people decide to venture out on any vehicle, they do so at their own peril because even six inches of rain may look pretty innocuous…but that is a condition where your vehicle can be swept away and we lose more lives of people with flooding events,” she added.
‘Heightened alertness and extreme caution’ necessary, mayor says
New York City mayor Eric Adams is holding a press conference on the ongoing storm in the city.
“This is time for heightened alertness and extreme caution,” said Adams.
“We could possibly see eight inches of rain before the day is over,” he said, adding, “This dangerous weather condition is not over and I don’t want those gaps in heavy rain to give the appearance that it over.”
Governor Kathy Hochul’s office has issued the following steps to residents to remain safe amid the heavy rainfall and flooding:
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Develop a household disaster plan and know how to always contact family members. Identify an out-of-town friend or family member to be the “emergency family contact” and make certain all family members have the contact info
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Designate an emergency meeting spot – a familiar location where family can meet if the residence cannot be accessed
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Know hurricane and storm risks in your community
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If you live near coastal areas, learn about your area’s storm surge history and your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans, including safe routes inland and the location of official shelters
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Know where to relocate pets during a storm – most shelters will not allow pets
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Keep the following supplies on-hand:
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Enough non-perishable food and water supplies for 10 days
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Battery-operated radios and flashlights and an ample supply of batteries
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A first aid with supply of medicines
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Important documents: Insurance policies, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. in a waterproof container
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Cash, checkbook, credit cards and ATM cards
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An emergency contact list of people and organizations who may need to be called: schools, doctors, providers, and insurance contacts
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The New York state department of transportation is prepared to respond to the extreme weather event with nearly 3,500 operators and supervisors available statewide, governor Kathy Hochul’s office announced on Friday.
Statewide equipment numbers are as follows, according to the governor’s office:
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1,426 large dump trucks
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315 large loaders
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81 chippers
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80 wheeled and tracked excavators
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28 traffic tower platforms
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15 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
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15 tree crew bucket trucks
Here are some images coming through the newswires of the heavy flooding across New York City:
New Yorkers urged to seek higher ground during heavy rain periods
New York City authorities have urged residents to seek higher ground during periods of heavy rain as persistent heavy ran may result in numerous flash floods, including flooding of places that do not normally flood.
Residents have been urged to make an emergency plan and stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the city’s official emergnecy communications program.
The city is under flood watch beginning Friday until 6am on Saturday.
MTA announces “severely disrupted” services due to rainfall
The MTA on Friday morning announced that service across its network has been “severely disrupted due to this extreme rainfall.”
“If you must head out, use extra caution and check the service status for your line at http://mta.info before you go. Stay safe, New York,” it cautioned.
Service across our network is severely disrupted due to this extreme rainfall. Please stay home if you don’t need to travel.
If you must head out, use extra caution and check the service status for your line at https://t.co/8rwbuwle0p before you go. Stay safe, New York. https://t.co/mkn8WLJlJd
— MTA (@MTA) September 29, 2023
LaGuardia shutters a terminal over flooding
LaGuardia Airport has announced that all access to Terminal A is currently closed.
All access to Terminal A is currently closed. Please avoid the area until further notice.
— LaGuardia Airport (@LGAairport) September 29, 2023
The airport added that it is experiencing delays as a result of the weather conditions and warned travelers to avoid the area until further notice.
It also directed passengers to check the Federal Aviation Administration to see the status of flights.
Videos show major flooding across the city
Here are some videos emerging on social media of the intense rainfall and flooding across New York City:
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning in Brooklyn, Queens and Hempstead that is set to last until 11:15am.
It also urged residents to avoid traveling in flooded roads, warning that 6 inches of fast-moving water can sweep away an adult while 12 inches can carry away a small car.
New York governor declares state of emergency
Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley amid the heavy downpour currently faced by residents of the Greater New York City area.
“I am declaring a State of Emergency in New York City, the Hudson Valley and Long Island in response to the significant, dangerous rainfall that is currently impacting the region and is expected to continue for the next 20 hours,” said Hochul.
“Ahead of this storm we deployed thousands of State personnel and I have directed all State agencies to provide all necessary resources to address this extreme weather event. It is critical that all New Yorkers take all necessary precautions and avoid flooded roads, which are some of the most dangerous places during flash floods,” she added.
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
Widespread three to five inches of total rain is expected through Friday across the areas, with locally higher amounts up to seven inches of rain, Hochul’s office announced. Additionally, rainfall rates are anticipated to be one inch per hour.
“Governor Hochul instructed the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to stage flood rescue teams in Nassau and Westchester counties, where they will be ready for rapid deployment in the event of a flash flood emergency requiring rescues,” it added.
New York City endures intense flooding amid heavy rainfall
Good morning,
Residents in New York City area are bracing for major flooding as the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings across New York, Brooklyn, Queens and other northeastern states including New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley and has warned residents to avoid traveling on flooded roads.
Transportation services have been disrupted as a result of the heavy rainfall, with the MTA announcing “extremely limited subway service” on Friday morning.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates.
