September 2023 New York floods
Flash flooding across roadways in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York
CauseHeavy rains
Meteorological history
DurationSeptember 28–30, 2023
Flood
Maximum rainfall9.80 in (249 mm) in Park Slope, New York
Overall effects
Damage$100 million (2023 USD)[1]
Areas affectedSoutheastern New York, Southwestern Connecticut, Northeastern New Jersey

On September 29, 2023, heavy rainfall led to flooding across portions of the New York metropolitan area and areas in New York City, United States. New York governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for five boroughs in New York, including portions of Hudson Valley and Long Island, and New York City mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency for the city.[2][3] New Jersey governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for all 21 counties in the state, and Hoboken, New Jersey mayor Ravinder Bhalla also declared a state of emergency.

The flooding suspended train service across numerous lines in Brooklyn, and every line on the New York City Subway was affected. Metro-North Railroad service was suspended on three lines, and several boroughs and numerous streets were flooded throughout the region.[4] A ground stop was imposed on LaGuardia Airport, where nearly 60 flights were cancelled. The heavy rainfall was caused by a stalled low-pressure area as showers and thunderstorms developed on September 29.

Meteorological synopsis

A mesoscale discussion from the Weather Prediction Center showing the expectation of flash floods across New York City

A moderate risk of excessive rainfall was issued by the Weather Prediction Center, and a flood watch was issued for portions of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.[5] A weak low-pressure area developed off the East Coast of the United States, absorbed the remains of Tropical Storm Ophelia,[6] then stalled, dropping heavy rainfall across areas that were already under a flood watch after Ophelia had moved through the same region days earlier.[7][8] Convection developed on the morning of September 29 after an upper-level trough approached from the Ohio valley and interacted with a strengthening cold front offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.[9][10]

Widespread heavy rainfall occurred in a concentrated area from the New York metropolitan area to southern New York to southern Connecticut to western Massachusetts along a low-level convergence axis.[11] Favorable precipitable water values around 1.6 inches, elevated convective instability, and southeasterly low-level winds between 20-30 knots supported several rounds of heavy rain across the concentrated area.[11] The mesoscale low-pressure area then moved east on the afternoon of September 29, where the convergence axis and elevated instability again produced heavy rainfall across Long Island, and weak instability values in the hundreds and moisture transport also contributed to rainfall rates of 1–2 inches (25–51 mm) per hour across southern Connecticut and western Massachusetts.[12][13]

Impact

Flooding in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York on September 29
A flooded intersection in Flatbush, Brooklyn

The National Weather Service in New York City issued a considerable flash flood warning for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens as more than 4 inches (100 mm) of rain fell throughout the region.[4] Flood warnings also covered more than 18 million people across the New York metropolitan area.[14]

New York governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for five boroughs in New York, including boroughs in Hudson Valley and Long Island, and New York City mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency for the city.[2][3] The New York Army National Guard was deployed.[15] Several highways, including all of Playland Parkway,[16] and portions of FDR Drive, Hutchinson River Parkway, Major Deegan Expressway (I-87), Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I-278), Cross Island Parkway, Belt Parkway, and Grand Central Parkway, were closed.[17][18][19] Traffic was stopped on the Prospect Expressway (NY 27) near Kensington as vehicles were inundated by floodwaters.[4]

Every line on the New York City Subway was affected, with four routes completely suspended, 12 partially suspended, and an additional eight services significantly delayed, which included no train service on the 2, 3, 4, 5 routes in Brooklyn, and no service on the B and G routes at all.[20][21] Metro-North Railroad service was suspended on the New Haven, Hudson and Harlem lines,[3][22] and the Long Island Rail Road experienced suspensions on the Far Rockaway Branch and Long Beach Branch.[23] A terminal at LaGuardia Airport was shut down due to flooding. A ground stop was also imposed at the airport.[24] Departures were delayed at John F. Kennedy International Airport due to heavy rainfall, with total rainfall of 8.67 inches (220 mm).[25] Of that total, 8.05 inches (204 mm) of rain fell there on just September 29, setting the preliminary record for the highest rainfall in one day.[26][27][28] NYC Ferry and Amtrak service was also delayed.[29][30]

Minor roof collapses and flooded basements occurred across the region.[31] Sewers and roads were overwhelmed by flooding in Hoboken, New Jersey, and the mayor of Hoboken, Ravinder Bhalla, declared a state of emergency.[24][32] Later, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for all 21 counties in the state and ordered all state offices to close.[33][34] A Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in Queens was postponed,[35] and a separate Mets game against the Miami Marlins was suspended in the ninth inning due to rain.[36] That game was later declared a Mets victory.[37] A National Hockey League preseason game between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders at UBS Arena was postponed.[38] Schools across the Bronxville Union Free School District were let out early due to the heavy rainfall that fell across portions of Bronxville and Westchester County, and an elementary school in Brooklyn was evacuated due to a boiler smoking possibly related to the flooding.[14][39] More than 150 schools across New York were inundated by floodwaters, and more than 105 school buses were delayed, which affected more than 250 schools.[40] Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island were closed indefinitely.[41] Several attractions were closed, including Wildlife Conservation Society zoos;[42] a female sea lion also briefly escaped from its enclosure in the Central Park Zoo.[43] Electrical damage caused by the heavy rains forced an evacuation and temporary closure of Woodhull Medical Center.[44] 28 people were rescued from floodwaters.[25]

Numerous locations across received more than 4 inches (100 mm) of rain, with Central Park recording 5.80 inches (147 mm) of rainfall, Midtown Manhattan recording 6.09 inches (155 mm) of rain, Fordham recording 6.19 inches (157 mm) of rain and Howard Beach recording 7.86 inches (200 mm) of rain.[45] The heaviest rainfall, however, was in Brooklyn where Park Slope received 9.80 inches (249 mm) of rain, with Valley Stream in Nassau County recording 9.06 inches (230 mm) of rain.[46][47] Parts of Brooklyn received 4.5 in (110 mm) of rain in just three hours.[48]

Nearly 300 flights were cancelled and 400 were delayed at LaGuardia Airport, while 200 flights were cancelled and more than 400 were delayed at John F. Kennedy International Airport.[49]

According to The Independent, "flooding is blamed on climate change".[50] Reuters states that extreme weather events are becoming "a new normal".[51]

The commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Rohit Aggarwala, drew a relationship between the 2023 floods and climate change, linking the floods with previous weather events. Aggarwala stated, "This changing weather pattern is the result of climate change, and the sad reality is our climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can respond."[52]

Daniel A. Zarrilli, a special adviser to Columbia University on the institution's climate and sustainability practices, warns that, "That storm with the scenes of water rushing over roads and sidewalks were similar to those in 2021 when Hurricane Ida inundated the city and left 11 people dead in Queens." He indicates that the 2021 hurricane was a warning sign of further weather events to come.[52]

Ryan Maue, the former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, quoted Tommaso Alberti, a researcher at Italy’s Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia saying, "that the extreme event that hit New York 'aligns with climate change projections'". He added that while natural variability can deliver major storms, 'human-driven climate change is the primary driver, underscoring the urgent need for climate mitigation and adaptation efforts'.[53]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Q3 Global Catastrophe Recap October 2023" (PDF). Aon Benfield. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Gratzer, Anna (September 29, 2023). "Hochul declares state of emergency as heavy rains flood parts NYC". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Live Updates: Flash flooding causing major traffic, subway problems". ABC7 New York. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Meko, Hurubie (September 29, 2023). "Flooding in New York: Heavy Rain Brings Flash Flooding to New York City". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  5. ↑ Davis, Darreonna (September 29, 2023). "Flash Floods In New York City Prompt State Of Emergency—See Photos". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  6. ↑ Masters, Jeff; Henson, Bob (September 29, 2023). "Tropical Storms Philippe and Rina do the Fujiwhara tango". New Haven, Connecticut: Yale Climate Connection. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Yablonski, Steven (September 28, 2023). "Flash Flood Warnings cover New York City, flooding subways and streets amid torrential rain slamming Northeast". FOX Weather. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ Wesner Childs, Jan (September 29, 2023). "Live Updates: Flooding Hits New York City". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  9. ↑ Orrison, Andrew (September 29, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1111". Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ Kleebauer, Scott; Kebede, Mussie (29 September 2023). "A Moderate Risk of Excessive Rainfall is in Effect Over Portions of The Northeast". WPC Day 1 Excessive Rainfall Outlook (16Z Update). Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  11. 1 2 Otto, Walter (September 29, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1112". Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  12. ↑ Otto, Walter (September 29, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1113". Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  13. ↑ Otto, Walter (September 29, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1114". Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  14. 1 2 Allen, Jonathan; O'Brien, Brendan (September 29, 2023). "New York subways disrupted as more heavy rain triggers flooding". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  15. ↑ Russell, Rachel (September 29, 2023). "New York City: State of emergency declared over flash flooding". BBC News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  16. ↑ 'Do Not Drive At This Time,' Parkway Closures In Westchester: WCPD, Patch, September 29, 2023
  17. ↑ Oberholtz, Chris (September 29, 2023). "New York City residents urged to shelter in place as life-threatening flooding submerges subways, streets". FOX Weather. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  18. ↑ NYC road closures and subway outages to know for your commute amid ongoing flooding, CBS News, September 29, 2023
  19. ↑ Troutman, Matt (September 29, 2023). "NYC Flood Watch: Adams AWOL As Deluge Hits City". Patch. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  20. ↑ Ley, Ana (September 29, 2023). "Rain Wreaks Havoc on New York's Mass Transit System". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  21. ↑ Livesay, Brandon (September 29, 2023). "Flash flooding hits New York City - live updates". BBC News. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  22. ↑ Mayes-Osterman, Cybele (September 29, 2023). "A state of emergency in New York: Flooding in New York City prompts MTA to monitor subway". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  23. ↑ LIRR experiencing scattered delays following Friday’s massive downpours, Bronx News 12, September 30, 2023
  24. 1 2 Valinsky, Jordan (September 29, 2023). "New York airports socked with delays because of heavy rain". CNN Business. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  25. 1 2 El-Bawab, Nadine; Deliso, Meredith (September 30, 2023). "28 rescued in 'historic' New York storm, state of emergency to remain: Gov. Hochul". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  26. ↑ "[Update] It's now preliminarily the wettest calendar day on record (since 1948) at JFK. Since midnight: 7.88" Previous wettest day: 7.80"". X. (formerly Twitter). September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  27. ↑ Gilbert, Mary; Zerkel, Eric; Elamroussi, Aya (September 29, 2023). "New York City in state of emergency as torrential rain floods subways, roads and basements". CNN. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  28. ↑ Oberholtz, Chris; Wulfeck, Andrew (September 29, 2023). "Parts of New York see wettest day on record as life-threatening flooding submerges subways, streets". Fox Weather. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  29. ↑ Adams, Abigail (September 29, 2023). "N.Y.C Residents Warned to Shelter in Place as Heavy Rain Triggers Life-Threatening Flooding". People. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Service Alert - Ferry Point Park Shuttle - 9/29/23 Due to flooding, the Ferry Point Park shuttle service is currently suspended. We apologize for any inconvenience NYC Ferry". X (formerly Twitter). September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  31. ↑ "NYC flooding live updates: Millions at risk of flooding in tri-state area". NBC News. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  32. ↑ Zeitlinger, Ron (September 29, 2023). "Mayor declares state of emergency in Hoboken; roadways closed across Hudson County". nj.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  33. ↑ Dougherty, Tom (September 29, 2023). "State of emergency declared in New Jersey because of heavy rain, flash flooding - CBS Philadelphia". CBS Philadelphia. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  34. ↑ Boyle, Louise (September 29, 2023). "New York engulfed in flooding as subway service buckles". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  35. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (September 29, 2023). "Phillies-Mets postponed Friday; doubleheader on Saturday". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Mets and Phillies rained out and rescheduled as Saturday doubleheader". Associated Press. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  37. ↑ Mets awarded 1-0 win over Marlins for suspended game, ESPN, October 4, 2023
  38. ↑ "Islanders Preseason Game vs. Rangers Postponed to Saturday, Sept. 30 | New York Islanders". NHL. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  39. ↑ Offenhartz, Jake; Peltz, Jennifer (September 29, 2023). "New York City area under state of emergency after storms flood subways, strand people in cars". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  40. ↑ Closson, Troy (September 29, 2023). "More Than 150 New York School Buildings Flooded, and One Had to Evacuate". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  41. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 29, 2023). "New York City Flooding Forces Cinema Closures Including AMC – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  42. ↑ Zanger, Jesse (September 29, 2023). "Watch live: State of emergency in effect as storm brings flooding, damage to New York City and beyond". CBS New York. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  43. ↑ Sole Campinoti, Maria; Sottile, Zoe (September 29, 2023). "Sea lion escapes enclosure at Central Park Zoo due to New York flooding". CNN. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Woodhull Hospital temporarily closed, evacuates patients and staff due to damage caused by flooding". ABC7 New York. September 30, 2023. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  45. ↑ Charles, Charline (September 30, 2023). "List of rainfall totals in NY after severe coastal storm, flooding". PIX11. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  46. ↑ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Text Products for PNS Issued by OKX". forecast.weather.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  47. ↑ Deger, Bill (September 29, 2023). "New York City, New Jersey brought to a standstill by flash flooding". Accuweather. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  48. ↑ Record rain in NYC generates 'life-threatening' flooding, overwhelming streets and subways, ABC7News, September 29, 2023
  49. ↑ Santucci, Jeanine; Wichter, Zach; Mayles-Osterman, Cybele (September 29, 2023). "Hundreds of flights cancelled, delayed as extreme rainfall pummels NYC, NJ". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  50. ↑ Boyle, Louise (2023-09-29). "New York flooding chaos is result of climate crisis, city official warns". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  51. ↑ Singh, Kanishka; Ax, Joseph; Singh, Kanishka (2023-09-30). "Climate change means New York City's flooding is 'new normal,' governor says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  52. 1 2 McGeehan, Patrick; Howard, Hilary (2023-09-29). "Why New York City Keeps Flooding". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  53. ↑ Maue, Ryan (3 October 2023). "[Human-driven climate change is not the primary driver of weather in New York City.] Tommaso Alberti, a researcher at Italy's Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, said that the extreme event that hit New York "aligns with climate change projections". He added that while natural variability can deliver major storms, "human-driven climate change is the primary driver, underscoring the urgent need for climate mitigation and adaptation efforts"" (Post on 𝕏). 𝕏. @RyanMaue. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
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