Authorities in the state of New York declared a state of emergency on Saturday due to severe flooding that disrupted transportation, closed roads, and airports.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the tropical storm "Ophelia" brought heavy rainfall across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions, resulting in flooding in the streets of New York City. Roads were submerged, partially affecting subway operations and airports. Authorities urged residents to exercise extreme caution.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a "state of emergency" in New York, Long Island to the east of the metropolitan area, and the Hudson Valley due to "heavy rainfall."
Images showed cars struggling through waterlogged roads, and streets completely blocked due to water rising to the level of car windows.
Water partially inundated stations of the massive subway system in the city, and several central lines in Brooklyn were closed.
LaGuardia Airport announced that all access to Terminal A is "currently closed."
According to the US National Weather Service, the harsh weather is due to a low-pressure system along the Middle Atlantic coast, drawing moist air from the ocean, resulting in heavy rainfall in northern and eastern areas.
New York authorities are taking these floods very seriously, especially after Hurricane Ida caused the deaths of 13 people in September 2021 (and dozens more in the region).
Most of them were trapped in basement apartments in the sprawling city that is experiencing a severe housing crisis.
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