Shah J. Choudhury
New York: Heavy storms and sudden flash flooding wreaked havoc across the Tri-State area from Monday afternoon into the night, disrupting daily life and public transit. Torrential rain combined with poor drainage left roads and subway stations inundated. At least two people died in New Jersey, while panic gripped Manhattan’s 28th Street subway station as floodwaters erupted like a geyser in front of stunned commuters.
Authorities reported that in Passaic County, New Jersey, two people died after their vehicles became trapped on flooded streets. Local emergency crews later recovered their bodies, though their names have not yet been released.
The scene in Manhattan’s busy 28th Street subway station was no less alarming. Riders on the uptown No. 1 train watched as water surged up through cracks in the floor and down the stairs, gushing like a fountain. Witnesses said the water didn’t come from the tracks but rather from beneath the station itself. Panic-stricken commuters rushed to evacuate the platform.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said service on that section of the No. 1 line was temporarily suspended while crews worked to drain the water. In a statement, the MTA blamed extreme weather due to climate change and the limitations of aging infrastructure for the disruption.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), some parts of the Tri-State recorded over four inches of rain between the afternoon and evening hours. Flooding left vehicles stranded, commuters delayed, and power outages reported in scattered areas.
The mayor’s office said all emergency services were on high alert and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Meanwhile, frustrated New Yorkers voiced anger over what they called a failure of investment in critical infrastructure. One volunteer at the scene said, “New Yorkers know how to handle things, but if this keeps happening again and again, it’s unacceptable.”
Incident Summary
• Areas affected: New Jersey, Manhattan, New York City, and the Tri-State region
• Time: Monday afternoon into the night
• Cause: Extreme rain and drainage issues
• Fatalities: 2 dead in New Jersey
• Manhattan: Flash flooding inside the 28th Street subway station, causing panic
• Transit impact: Temporary suspension of service on part of the No. 1 line
• Injuries: No major injuries reported
