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Severe Flooding Paralyzes New York Metropolitan Area
Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Tahesha Way of New Jersey declared states of emergency as unprecedented rainfall caused widespread flooding across the region. The National Weather Service reported rainfall rates exceeding 76mm per hour in some areas, with localized accumulations surpassing 200mm - nearly triple the average monthly rainfall in the Netherlands.
Transportation Systems Overwhelmed
New York City's subway system experienced catastrophic flooding, with viral social media footage showing water cascading down station staircases. Approximately 110 passengers required rescue from a stranded commuter train in Queens after being trapped for nearly an hour. The Clearview Expressway was completely submerged, forcing drivers to climb onto vehicle roofs while awaiting emergency assistance.
Travel Disruptions Widespread
Air travel faced massive disruptions with nearly 1,500 flight cancellations and over 7,000 delays across East Coast airports. Rail services suffered significant interruptions due to flooded tracks and fallen trees. Authorities have advised residents to avoid non-essential travel and those in basement apartments to relocate to higher floors immediately.
Climate Change Connection
Meteorologists note this event continues a pattern of increasingly frequent and intense precipitation events in the Northeast United States. Urban infrastructure, particularly in coastal cities like New York, faces growing challenges from climate change-induced weather extremes. The emergency declaration remains active through Friday afternoon as additional storms approach the region.
