The city of New York experienced a powerful rainstorm on Thursday that caused the deaths of two people and led to partial paralysis of transportation, along with major flight disruptions at several of the city’s airports. The National Weather Service also issued warnings of potential flooding in several low-lying and coastal areas.
Local media reported that the heavy rainfall resulted in flooded streets and subway stations, causing damage to infrastructure in some neighborhoods. Emergency crews worked to rescue stranded residents and assist those affected by the floods. Officials at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark airports announced delays and cancellations of numerous flights due to poor weather conditions and reduced visibility.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that the storm broke rainfall records previously set on October 30, explaining that the amount of rain expected to fall over several hours poured down in just ten minutes during the afternoon, overwhelming the city’s drainage systems.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service, rainfall reached 4.7 centimeters in Central Park, 5.31 centimeters at LaGuardia Airport, and 5.05 centimeters at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey — among the highest totals of the season.
Footage captured by cameras showed striking scenes of flooded streets across the city, as residents struggled to wade through waterlogged roads on foot or in vehicles that could barely move. Some subway stations also suffered from significant water leakage, forcing temporary service suspensions.
At the same time, the National Weather Service issued additional warnings about possible coastal flooding in parts of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, urging residents to exercise caution and remain indoors until weather conditions improved.
