Flash Flood in New York 2023

While addressing the recent flash flood in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has taken the step of declaring a State of Emergency due to the severe flash flooding that is causing widespread chaos in New York City. This flooding has been triggered by relentless and heavy rainfall affecting the northeastern United States. In line with this, Mayor Eric Adams has also urged New Yorkers to stay at home or seek shelter where possible.

One of the hardest-hit areas in the city is Brooklyn, where alarming videos have surfaced showing streets and even subway stations submerged underwater. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), responsible for running the city’s transit system, has reported extensive outages and delays as a result of the flooding.

The city, along with parts of upstate New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, is currently grappling with a severe and persistent storm system. This has prompted the issuance of flood watches and warnings across the affected regions.

The New York metropolitan area is expected to receive an unusually high amount of rainfall, with some areas already having received between two and five inches since midnight.

The National Weather Service sent out emergency alerts to cellphones in the city at 9:30 AM local time, cautioning, “A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect for this area until 12:30 PM EDT. This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”

City authorities have also issued a travel advisory, which began at 4 AM on Friday and will remain in effect until 6 AM on Saturday. This advisory anticipates “widespread travel impacts” due to the severe weather conditions.

Emergency officials provided information about the deployment of rescue teams and equipment during Friday’s unprecedented flooding in New York State. The New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (NYSDHSES) took several measures to address the situation.

To tackle the flooding in New York City, NYSDHSES dispatched 12 pumps from their stockpile to the city in advance for pre-staging. Additionally, another six pumps were directed to LaGuardia Airport to assist in draining the fuel yard, which had experienced record-breaking levels of rainfall on Friday, as reported on NYSDHSES’s social media channels.

In response to the flash flood in New York that affected the region, NYSDHSES deployed its Office of Fire Prevention and Control Water Rescue teams. These teams were instrumental in aiding residents who found themselves in distress due to the rapidly rising floodwaters. NYSDHSES shared images of one such rescue operation in New Rochelle and mentioned that their teams were actively supporting emergency services not only in Westchester County but also in other affected areas.

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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced a state of emergency, which will go into effect at 3:00 PM local time. This decision comes in response to heavy rainfall, with the anticipation of intensifying conditions in various areas of the state in the coming hours. Governor Murphy has urged residents to avoid traveling on the roads, remain vigilant, and adhere to safety guidelines.

In Hoboken, situated to the west of Manhattan, residents are strongly advised to stay home if possible. Mayor Ravi Bhalla declared a state of emergency in the city on Friday, especially as flooding became a significant issue in the southern part of Hoboken. To combat flooding, businesses in Hoboken have erected barricades made of sandbags.

Hoboken faces a recurring challenge with flooding due to its low-lying geographical features. The southwestern part of the city is situated at an elevation of less than 1 meter above sea level, making it susceptible to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.