Thursday’s rain led to deadly flooding in parts of New York City as it broke records and caused damage across the Tri-State Area.
There were reports of downed trees, impassable roadways and trouble on mass transit.
Apparent storm-related deaths in Brooklyn, Upper Manhattan
At least two apparent storm-related deaths were reported.
Firefighters responded to a call of someone trapped in a flooded basement in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, around 4:30 p.m.
Police said FDNY divers went into the apartment and found a 39-year-old man. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been released.
Around the same time in Washington Heights, police were sent to a building on West 175th Street and Broadway. Witnesses told officers a 43-year-old man had been found unconscious inside a flooded boiler room in the basement.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld under family can be notified.
The city did issue text messages and emails Thursday warning of flash flooding in parts of our area, urging people to move to higher ground. New Yorkers must enroll with Notify NYC to get these messages.
Record rainfall hits parts of NYC
It was a record-setting day for rainfall in parts of the city. The National Weather Service reported 1.85 inches in Central Park, breaking the previous daily rainfall record of 1.64 set in 1917. The NWS also reported 2.09 inches at LaGuardia Airport, shattering the previous mark of 1.18 inches set in 1955, and 1.99 inches at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, beating the previous record of 1.57 inches, also set in 1955.
CBS News New York
The storm also caused lengthy delays at all three major airports, some issues on the rails, and thousands of power outages across the region.
Winds gusted as high as 53 mph at times, and are expected to come roaring back by late Friday morning. Gusts will range from 35-50 mph, and the threat of downed trees and powerlines will be in place once again.
Click here for the latest watches and warnings from the First Alert Weather Team.
Roads flood, trees downed across New York and New Jersey
City Councilman Justin Brannan reported several intersections in Brooklyn inundated by storm water, citing the age of some of the sewers and them being clogged with debris.
“This afternoon’s record-setting storm continues the recent pattern of short but wildly intense downpours that have become increasingly common in recent years. DEP teams continue to respond across the city to address flooding reports and assist with drainage efforts,” a spokesperson for the city Department of Environmental Protection said in a statement.
Mike Charaf
The New York City Parks Department said as of 4 p.m., it had received 147 reports of down trees. It is asking tree conditions be reported to 311. In cases of true emergency, New Yorkers should call 911.
Among those, trees were reported down in Hollis, Flushing and the Corona sections of Queens. CBS News New York’s Adi Guajardo surveyed the damage, which included massive trees uprooted and at least one car smashed.
A tree was also reported to have toppled onto utility wires and crushed a car on East 230th Street in the Wakefield section of the Bronx. The driver had just stepped out of his vehicle when it happened and was not hurt. Con Edison was also concerned about live power lines sparking and causing even more danger.
The NYPD said the westbound Long Island Expressway was closed at the Cross Island Parkway for a period of time due to flooding, causing extensive delays.
The Westchester County Police Department said the Bronx River Parkway was closed in both directions between Main Street in White Plains and the Sprain Brook Parkway split in Yonkers. It added significant flooding occurred on the Hutchinson River Parkway near Mill Road in Eastchester.
In Hoboken, New Jersey, CBS News New York’s Naveen Dhaliwal was at the intersection of Willow and Seventh streets and reported all four sewers got clogged, causing flooding in the immediate area and elsewhere. The water later receded, and there were no reports of significant damage or injuries.
Also in New Jersey, crews had to rescue a driver and a child from floodwaters in Bayonne.
Coastal flooding was reported in the New Jersey communities of Lanoka Harbor, Seaside Heights, Ocean Gate and Toms River.
Travel problems
The weather was responsible for a temporary ground stop and continued lengthy delays at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport. Flyers are urged to check with their carriers before heading to the airport.
The MTA said some subway lines were forced to bypass stations due to water on the tracks. All weather-related service disruptions have since ended.
NJ Transit said North Jersey Coast Line rail service was temporarily suspended in both directions between New York’s Penn Station and Long Branch stations due to a downed tree near Woodbridge, and trains temporarily bypassed some stations due to high water conditions near Newark Liberty Airport, but full service has since resumed.
contributed to this report.
