Heavy rain and powerful winds pummeled New York City on Thursday, flooding roads, disrupting subway service and slowing the evening commute across the five boroughs.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for much of the city through late afternoon, with rainfall topping 2 inches per hour in some areas. Wind gusts reached up to 50 mph, prompting bridge restrictions and scattered power outages, particularly on Staten Island.
The NWS said 1.80 inches of rain fell in Central Park, breaking the previous record of 1.64 inches set in 1917. The agency also reported 1.97 inches of rain at LaGuardia Airport, breaking the previous record of 1.18 inches set in 1955.
Officials said two men died in flooded basements Thursday afternoon as torrential rain overwhelmed the city’s drainage system.
Transit was hit hard. The MTA reported widespread flooding that delayed trains across multiple lines, including the 1, L and G. Service on the G line was suspended for part of the afternoon between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square while crews cleared water from the tracks. Ferry service on Staten Island was also briefly halted during the storm.
Road flooding snarled traffic throughout the city. The westbound Belt Parkway closed temporarily near 65th Street in Brooklyn and the Long Island Expressway shut down for a time in Queens before reopening Thursday evening, according to city and police officials.
At JFK and LaGuardia airports, ground stops earlier in the day caused residual flight delays into the evening. The MTA also restricted certain vehicles, including tractor-trailers and motorcycles, from major bridges due to high winds.
City agencies urged residents to stay off flooded streets, secure outdoor items and avoid basement apartments vulnerable to flooding. Contractors and property owners were also advised to tie down scaffolding and loose materials, the Department of Buildings said.
The NWS issued a coastal flood statement for southern Queens through early Friday morning, warning that tides could cause minor flooding along shoreline roads and properties. A wind advisory remained in effect for all five boroughs into early Saturday, with gusts between 25 and 40 mph expected to continue.
Conditions were forecast to dry out by Friday morning, with clear but blustery weather expected for Halloween and this weekend’s New York City Marathon.
