NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City is experiencing serious delays and closures on roadways and mass transit due to flooding from a coastal storm.
Mayor Eric Adams declared a State of Emergency during a news conference with Gov. Kathy Hochul and other officials Friday. He also warned New Yorkers to shelter in place amid the severe weather.
“This is a dangerous weather condition and it is not over,” he said.
Hochul said the state is doing whatever it can to make sure children get home from school safely. If trains and subways aren’t back up and running by the time school is dismissed, buses will be deployed, she said.
“This is a life-threatening rainfall event,” Hochul said.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber said that the agency is in the process of reactivating certain lines after the subway system flooded. The rails will need to be inspected before they’re brought back online, he said.
Lieber encouraged commuters to use the bus if they need to travel.
Officials also warned New Yorkers living in basement apartments to prepare for potential flooding. As of 12 p.m., there were at least six basement apartments that flooded – all with successful rescues, city officials said.
Between 3 to 6 inches of rain has already fallen in New York City as of 1 p.m., forecasters said. The city could be seeing another 1 to 3 inches of rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain is expected to stay in the tri-state area until midday Saturday.
