Extreme Deluge Threatens NYC and Northeast: Prepare for Subways and Roads to Be Swamped
Coastal storm forecasted to unleash torrential rain across New York City and the Northeast on Friday, posing the risk of widespread flooding in subways and roads
Friday is when a coastal storm will bring substantial rainfall to New York City and the Northeast, with the potential to flood subways and roads. Rainfall has already started in various areas since Thursday night, but the most intense downpour is anticipated to occur on Friday.
Around 25 million people in the Northeast are currently being affected by the flood threat, with the New York tri-state area specifically facing a "moderate" risk for flash flooding at Level 3 out of 4, as cautioned by the National Weather Service.
There is a possibility of heavy rainfall with rates ranging from 1 to 2 inches per hour, and isolated areas may experience even higher rates surpassing 2 inches per hour. This poses a significant risk to the morning commute as the rain could lead to severe flash flooding on roads and even in subway stations.
Due to the risk of urban flooding, authorities in New York City have issued a travel advisory effective from 4 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. ET Saturday. This advisory warns of potential widespread disruptions to morning commutes. NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol emphasizes the importance of New Yorkers preparing for heavy rainfall and possible flooding during Friday and Saturday morning. All residents are urged to exercise caution, with a recommendation to use public transportation if necessary and to allocate extra travel time. Motorists are advised not to drive into flooded areas.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the city advises passengers to exercise caution during their travels. They anticipate heavy rainfall and potential flooding tonight and tomorrow, particularly during the morning rush hour. In a post on X, the MTA stated, "It is advisable to allocate additional travel time." The MTAs website provides regular updates on service statuses.
Some areas in the region, which are already saturated from the storm last weekend, could experience flooding even with just an inch of rainfall. The regions most likely to be affected by heavy rain are Central New Jersey, Manhattan, Long Island in New York, southern Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley.
Philadelphia and Boston's neighboring cities may receive up to 2 inches of rainfall, with Hartford potentially collecting 3 inches or even more. In general, there will be widespread rainfall ranging from 2 to 4 inches, but certain areas could experience higher amounts, reaching between 5 and 8 inches. This poses a significant flood risk, particularly for cities like New York, as seen in the fatal basement flooding caused by Hurricane Ida's remnants in 2021.
New York City subways to remain operational
Ahead of the expected heavy rainfall, the MTA plans to keep all services at its more than 470 stations running Friday.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber stated during a news conference on Thursday that although there may be service disruptions, our intention is to continue operating service across all areas served by the MTA. Lieber acknowledged the possibility of water infiltrating certain facilities but assured that the MTA has implemented drain covers and additional measures. He also mentioned the deployment of pump trains and the dispatching of crews to strategic locations within the transit system.
Additional buses have been prepared by the public transit network to provide extra service if the storm disrupts the rail system, said Lieber.
The heaviest rain in the greater New York City region is forecasted to continue until Friday, concluding on Saturday morning.
The final supermoon of the year, happening on Friday morning, could potentially worsen the impacts of flooding. This event usually leads to more intense tidal cycles, posing an increased flood risk along the East Coast. To prepare for this, coastal flood advisories have been extended over a distance of more than 300 miles, ranging from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Virginia Beach.
According to the National Weather Service, low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways are expected to experience inundation up to a foot above ground level. This report includes contributions from CNN's Eric Zerkel, Robert Shackelford, and Nicki Brown.
