Karmactive Staff
The skies opened up over New York City today, unleashing rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour in some neighborhoods as Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City and multiple surrounding counties. The National Weather Service flash flood warning remains in effect until 6:15 PM for Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
“I am urging all New Yorkers to stay vigilant, stay informed, and use caution as we expect excessive rainfall with the potential for flash flooding,” Governor Hochul said. “State agencies are on standby for heavy downpours and localized flooding and will be monitoring the situation in real-time to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers in the path of the storm.”
Streets turned to shallow rivers in parts of Queens where the Clearview Expressway saw partial closures. The city’s over 150,000 catch basins, designed to handle 1.75 inches per hour when clear, simply couldn’t keep pace with the atmospheric onslaught.
The MTA has prepared crews for flood-prone stations on the 1/2/3 and A/C/E lines. MTA Chair Janno Lieber emphasized the serious nature of the storm and detailed response planning in place.
For New Yorkers caught in the deluge, the NWS advises staying off roads during peak rainfall. Those in flood-prone areas should move to higher ground.
The rain bears hallmarks of what meteorologists call “training storms” – repeated thunderstorm cells tracking over the same neighborhoods. NWS meteorologists measured rainfall rates reaching 2 inches hourly in some locations, with isolated totals potentially hitting 5 inches by evening.
This isn’t the first time New York’s drainage network has been overwhelmed. Hurricane Ida’s 2021 record rainfall left lasting damage across Queens.
NYC’s Department of Environmental Protection is working to clear clogged drains across the city, but the system faces structural limits. According to DEP design standards documents, even properly maintained catch basins can’t process more than 1.75 inches hourly.
The city’s flooding vulnerability varies by neighborhood.
NOAA data shows extreme hourly precipitation events have increased approximately 60% in the Northeast since 1958, according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
For those who must travel, the NWS reminds everyone: never attempt to cross flooded roadways or underpasses.
The heaviest rain is expected to continue through the evening. Residents should monitor weather.gov/okx for updates and sign up for emergency alerts at nyc.gov/severeweather.
