A strong storm has hit various parts of the city and surrounding areas in what is supposed to be part – or at least a breakthrough – of Storm Elsa that is about to hit New York.
Even though it had been anticipated that it would rain, the sudden rain and its intensity seemed to take many by surprise.
“A good thunderstorm cloud is cooling northeast New Jersey and parts of New York as we speak. Torrential rains and lots of lightning are happening with these storms, “the New York Metro Wheater site wrote for the case in a message on social networks.
A good ‘ol thunderstorm blob is chilling over Northeast NJ and parts of NYC as we speak. Torrential rain and lots of lightning is occurring with these storms. pic.twitter.com/0cVkMroKcv
— New York Metro Weather (@nymetrowx) July 8, 2021
City Council President Corey Johnson also posted a message on Twitter asking to be careful and stay inside if possible.
Heads up NYC! Severe thunderstorm watch is in effect from now through 9 P.M. tonight. Be careful out there and stay inside if possible.
— NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) July 8, 2021
The National Weather Service had warned of possible storms with lightning and strong winds.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of CT, NJ, NY, PA until 9 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/dUwv1WR7PR
– NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) July 8, 2021
Storm Elsa has weakened and is not expected to cause much damage beyond the rains from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.
Still, as water accumulated due to the intensity of the storm, closed streets, flooded subway stations and many canceled flights were reported at both LaGuardia and JFK.
“The severe weather in the region is causing disruptions in flights at #JFKAirport. Confirm the status of your flight before arriving at the airport,” read for the case in a message on social networks from JFK.
Severe weather in the region is causing flight disruptions at #JFKAirport. Please confirm the status of your flight prior to arriving at the airport. pic.twitter.com/OMywC687sp
— Kennedy Airport. Wear a Face Covering. (@JFKairport) July 8, 2021
The city itself also announced closures in the Bronx.
“Flood Condition: All lanes of the Cross Bronx Expressway are closed in both directions on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. Please consider alternative routes,” it was said in a message on twitter.
Flooding Condition: All lanes of the Cross Bronx Expressway are closed in both directions at Jerome Avenue in The Bronx. Consider alt routes. Multilingual & ASL Link: https://t.co/GpdlTK7FPB.
— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) July 8, 2021
City Comptroller Scott Stringer retweeted a message from someone showing a crowd of riders at a subway station in upper Manhattan apparently jammed by the station’s flooding. The message says that the city is not prepared for climate change.
“Our city is not prepared for a climate catastrophe,” Stringer writes.
“We have 520 miles of coastline. Not acting is more than irresponsible,” he adds.
Our city isn’t ready for climate catastrophe.
We have 520 miles of coastline. Failing to act is beyond irresponsible. https://t.co/au3QgSnBUU
— Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) July 8, 2021
Later it was Eric Adams, the recent winner of the Democratic primary for mayor, who spoke out on the issue of the damage that the storm had caused, in this case focusing his batteries on the MTA for what happened at the 157th Street station.
“This is what happens when the MTA makes poor spending decisions for decades. We need congestion pricing $ as soon as possible to protect stations from street flooding, raise entrances, and add green infrastructure to soak up the downpour of storms. This can’t be New York, “Adams tweeted.
This is what happens when the MTA makes bad spending decisions for decades. We need congestion pricing $ ASAP to protect stations from street flooding, elevate entrances and add green infrastructure to absorb flash storm runoff. This cannot be New York. https://t.co/F6A5K4ahQT
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) July 8, 2021
The National Weather Service also warned of more flash rains, particularly in Queens and Manhattan.
Flash Flood Advisory continues New York NY, Queens NY, Manhattan NY until 7:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/WXxP9w49WB
– NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) July 8, 2021
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