New York City Swamped with Heavy Flooding
August 15, 2011
Heavy rainstorms caused major flooding across New York City over the weekend. There were over ten inches of rain recorded in Lido Beach by sunset Sunday. Brooklyn suffered heavy flooding along the Belt Parkway with reports of many vehicles being stranded in the deep water.
On Staten Island, flooded streets led to authorities warning residents and motorists to use extreme caution when out. There were many cars in Staten Island stuck on roadways – abandoned after their drivers attempted to drive through the deep water. New Jersey also experienced flash flooding although the water levels are not considered to be something to become overly concerned about.
A slow moving rain system is moving its way through New York and flash flood watches are in effect until at least Monday evening. The heavy rainfall and flooding Sunday was the cause of power outages and train service disruptions throughout metro New York. At JFK International Airport, 8 inches of rain fell Sunday night which is the most ever recorded there during a 24 hour period. The previous record was set back in the early 1980s at just over 6 inches, so says the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service also is warning residents in the greater New York area that the rainfall can go on into Tuesday. New York City’s Dept. of Environmental Protection had two dozen maintenance crews working overnight as well as numerous emergency repair crews.
In Queens, many homes were inundated with flood water. In some areas of the borough, four feet of water were left standing in basements of homes and businesses. Many affected residents had nowhere to go as they were surprised by the flooding and by how quickly it rushed into their garages and basements. Two thousand Con Ed customers were left without power Sunday in Brooklyn because manholes flooded and the storms knocked down several power lines.
The American Red Cross is providing affected families with temporary housing in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Many local beaches were shut down in the area due to concerns that bacteria could build up on them. News crews on Staten Island captured shocking video of motorists standing in waist to chest high water outside their vehicles at one intersection as several cars become totally submerged and had to be pulled to dry ground. Staten Island has had flooding problems in the past, but nothing on this scale. Many Staten Island residents report stagnant water in their basements due to poor drainage.
