New York mayor dismisses claims he was slow to react as heavy rain causes major flooding – as it happened (2024)

It is now 6pm in New York City where heavy rainfall and intense flooding swept through numerous neighborhoods, leaving several million residents under flood warnings. Here is a wrap up of the day’s key events from the city and beyond:

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley amid the heavy downpour currently faced by residents of the Greater New York City area. “It is critical that all New Yorkers take all necessary precautions and avoid flooded roads, which are some of the most dangerous places during flash floods,” she said.

• The National Weather Service in New York has announced that it has “multiple reports of water rescues and motorists” stranded in flood waters in Nassau county. “Do not travel this evening if you do not need to do so. This area of heavy rain is moving into western Suffolk county with flooding likely to begin shortly,” it warned.

• New York senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have written a letter to FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell urging the Federal Emergency Mangement Agency to “stand ready, if requested” amid the heavy flooding. They also urged FEMA to make assistance available through a disaster declaration “as expeditiously as possible.”

• New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has announced a state of emergency as a result of the heavy rainfall sweeping over the state. “Throughout the state, especially in the north and central regions, we are experiencing heavy rainfalls resulting in hazardous conditions, and the rainfall is expected to accelerate in many parts of the state over the next several hours,” said Murphy.

• The National Weather Service reports that Friday is the wettest day on record at John F Kennedy International airport. The international travel hub has experienced over 7 inches of rain since Friday 12pm ET.

• “If anyone was caught off guard,” they had to have been living “under a rock,” New York City mayor Eric Adams is reported saying in response to criticisms of slow communication amid Friday’s flooding. During a press conference on Friday, Adams defended his response speed, saying, “All of the necessary precautions were taken.”

• Hoboken mayor Ravi Bhalla has declared a state of emergency for Hoboken in response to the heavy rain and flooding that has been impacting most of the city. “My utmost priority, and that of the Office of Emergency Management is the life, health, and safety of our residents,” said Bhalla.

• The MTA announced that service across its network has been “severely disrupted due to this extreme rainfall.” “If you must head out, use extra caution and check the service status for your line at http://mta.info before you go. Stay safe, New York,” it cautioned.

• LaGuardia Airport announced that all access to Terminal A had closed earlier this morning. The airport added that it is experiencing delays as a result of the weather conditions and warned travelers to avoid the area until further notice.

That’s it from me, Maya Yang, as we wrap up the blog for today. Thank you for following along.

Here are more photos coming through the newswires of the heavy rainfall and flooding across the Great New York City area:

Climate crisis concerns have emerged once again amid the intense rainfall and flooding sweeping across the greater New York City area.

“The climate crisis will manifest in hundreds of ways and we need to be ready,” climate activist Xiye Bastida wrote alongside photos of New York City covered in thick orange smog three months ago and floodwaters from today.

“If anyone was caught off guard,” they had to have been living “under a rock,” New York City mayor Eric Adams is reported saying in response to criticisms of slow communication amid Friday’s flooding.

During a press conference on Friday, Adams defended his response speed, saying, “All of the necessary precautions were taken.”

“There was not an absence of voice of this adminstration,” he added.

HellGate NY reports on Adam’s response speed with a rather scathing lede:

Limited Hudson line service has been restored, the MTA announced.

The Harlem and New Haven lines remain suspended between Manhattran and the Bronx.

“We strongly advise to travel as early as possible,” the MTA said.

A flood warning has been issued for the Bronx until 10:45pm on Friday evening.

Additional 0.5 to 1 inch of rain is expected, according to the National Weather Service.

The MTA has announced a service update to its Q trains, which are now operating in 3 sections:

• Between 96 St and 57 St-7 Av

• Between Atlantic Av and Prospect Park

• Between Prospect Park and Stillwell Av

It urged residents to continue staying home if they do not need to travel as MTA crew continue to work to address heavy flooding.

The Long Island Rail Road, the country’s busiest commuter railroad, has announced that its services between Valley Stream and Far Rockway have been suspended in both directions due to heavy flooding.

The National Weather Service in New York has announced that it has “multiple reports of water rescues and motorists” stranded in flood waters in Nassau county.

“Do not travel this evening if you do not need to do so. This area of heavy rain is moving into western Suffolk county with flooding likely to begin shortly,” it warned.

The New York state division of homeland security and emergency services has deployed flood rescue teams to Westchester county to assist with local emergency reponses.

“The storm is not over yet as heavy rainfall heads into the Hudson Valley region this afternoon through evening. A Flood Advisory is in effect for Dutchess, Ulster & Southern Columbia Counties,” the division warned.

New York senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have written a letter to FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell urging the Federal Emergency Mangement Agency to “stand ready, if requested” amid the heavy flooding.

“We are grateful for the prompt attention that the federal government has historically given in responding to disasters impacting New York state. In that spirit, we strongly urge you to approve any forthcoming requests for FEMA assistance from New York state as affected communities begin their recovery from these floods,” the senators wrote.

They also urged FEMA to make assistance available through a disaster declaration “as expeditiously as possible.”

New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has announced a state of emergency as a result of the heavy rainfall sweeping over the state.

“The governor has initiated a closing for state offices beginning at 3:00pm this afternoon. The early dismissal does not include essential employees or emergency personnel. Private companies and businesses should dismiss their employees at their own discretion,” Murphy’s office announced.

“Throughout the state, especially in the north and central regions, we are experiencing heavy rainfalls resulting in hazardous conditions, and the rainfall is expected to accelerate in many parts of the state over the next several hours,” said Murphy.

He went on to urge residents to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and warnings.

Here is video of New York governor Kathy Hochul warning residents to avoid venturing out into flooded waters in their own vehicles:

“Even six inches of rain…is a condition where your vehicle can be swept away,” she said.

The National Weather Service reports that Friday is the wettest day on record at John F Kennedy International airport.

The international travel hub has experienced over 7 inches of rain since Friday 12.00 ET.

The airport reported travel delays and cancellations because of extreme weather in the New York City area.

Social media images are showing the intense rainfall and flooding impacting much of the New York City area, particularly Brooklyn and Queens.