A sustained round of heavy rainfall in New York led to flash flooding, disrupting subway service and causing significant damage to the city. A flash flood warning was issued, with as much as 6 inches of rain falling in some areas, including Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. More rain was expected to fall before the system moved out to sea, posing a life-threatening situation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the city, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, with National Guard troops deployed to assist in the response.
The flooding caused major disruptions to New York’s subway service and the Metro-North commuter rail service, with some subway lines suspended and stations closed. New York Mayor Eric Adams also declared a state of emergency for the city, urging heightened alertness and extreme caution. Intense rainfall events like this one have become more common due to global warming, according to climate scientists. The rainfall in September 2023 has already reached record levels, with the possibility of breaking the all-time high set in September 1882.
The heavy downpours and flash flooding caught many residents off guard, with vehicles marooned on neighborhood streets and floodwaters pouring into subway stations. Some residents criticized the lack of adequate drainage systems and broken promises from the city to address flooding issues. The city of Hoboken, across the Hudson River from lower Manhattan, also declared a state of emergency, with flooded roadways and malfunctioning floodgates hindering vehicular traffic. This deluge followed a previous round of heavy rains and strong winds caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia, which had already soaked the city and caused power outages in other states. The continuous rainfall throughout the week resulted in saturated ground, creating favorable conditions for flash flooding.