At least 8 people killed in NYC, New Jersey after Ida slams Northeast with historic flooding

At least eight people were killed in New York and New Jersey due to flooding as the Northeast was slammed by torrential rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, officials said Thursday. The US National Weather Service declared a flood emergency in New York City, Brooklyn and Queens, and issued tornado warnings for parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called it a “historic weather event”. At least 8cm of rain fell in just one hour in New York’s Central Park. Some people were trapped in the flooded basements of their homes, while one body was retrieved from a vehicle that was swept away. Across the entire Northeast, roads were transformed into fast-flowing rivers, the nation’s largest subway system was almost at a standstill and water rescues were reported after the record-setting downpour. NBC reports one more person has died in New Jersey and four have died in New York City when they were trapped in their basements. In New York City, which borders New Jersey at the Hudson River, with record-breaking rain across the city leading to flooding and dangerous conditions on the roads. Nearly all New York City subway lines were suspended late on Wednesday and all non-emergency vehicles were banned from New York City’s streets until 5am Thursday.

Severe weather also saw dozens of matches postponed at the US Open on Wednesday. States of emergency were declared for New York State, New York City and New Jersey. Storm damage from Ida astounded officials three days after the powerful hurricane pounded southern Louisiana, as reconnaissance flights revealed entire communities devastated by wind and floods.