The remnants of Ida hit New York City and the surrounding area Wednesday night, producing historic amounts of rain that left millions of people under a flash flood emergency and triggering multiple tornado warnings throughout the night.
“Central Park, NY has just observed 3.15 inches of rain in an hour, from 8:51 pm to 9:51 pm,” reported the National Weather Service in a message on social networks.
Correction: Central Park, NY has just observed 3.15 inches of rain in one hour, from 8:51 pm to 9:51 pm.
– NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) September 2, 2021
The police, for their part, put a message on social networks where they warn of delays in the main streets of the city due to floods.
“Stay off the highways and use public transportation if possible,” asks the NYPD.
Weather Advisory: Due to flooding, expect delays in all major crossings and road closures. Stay off the roads and use public transportation if possible. pic.twitter.com/RvPq0BTfpS
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) September 2, 2021
The MTA went even further and asked that if possible better not to travel as train service will be ‘extremely limited’ due to flooding in the region.
Train service may be extremely limited tonight because of heavy rainfall and flooding across the region.
We strongly recommend you avoid traveling at this time, if you can.
Check https://t.co/8rwbuwle0p before you travel. pic.twitter.com/K1m2yglEXk
— MTA. Wear a Mask. Stop the Spread. (@MTA) September 2, 2021
A tornado warning was in effect for parts of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester County until 9:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service put another message on twitter in which it warns of what should not be done when someone is driving and is in the middle of a flood.
“This is a perfect example of what not to do! Look at the white car towards the end that is floating. This water is too deep to go through it. Turn around, do not drown!” Advises the National Weather Service.
This is perfect example of what you should not do! Notice the white car towards the end that is floating. This water is too deep to drive through. Turn Around Don’t Drown!! https://t.co/qR8ufBr7kW
– NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) September 2, 2021
Another of the Weather services warned that it was necessary to stay at home due to the danger.
10:45 pm: Torrential rains and floods continue. Water rescues are ongoing. Most of the city’s subway is closed. We cannot emphasize this enough, please stay home. Do not try to drive through waters floods or cross them on foot. You are putting your life at risk, “wrote the New York Metro Weather.
10:45pm: Torrential, flooding rains are continuing. Water rescues are ongoing. The majority of the city’s subways are closed. We cannot stress this enough – please stay home. Do not attempt to drive through flood waters or cross them on foot. You are putting your life at risk.
— New York Metro Weather (@nymetrowx) September 2, 2021
One of the routes that was closed due to flooding was part of the Great Central Parkway heading east.
“Road closures: Due to flooding, all eastbound lanes of the Grand Central Parkway are closed on the Van Wyck Expressway and 49th Street in Queens. Consider alternate routes,” the city reported.
Road Closure: Due to a flooding condition, all eastbound lanes of the Grand Central Parkway are closed at the Van Wyck Expressway and at 49th Street in Queens. Consider alternate routes. Multilingual & ASL Link : https://t.co/GpdlTK7FPB.
— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) September 2, 2021
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