New York Flash Floods: Heavy rainfall submerges streets, subway; internet reacts in horror

A state of emergency has been declared in New York City as severe storms cause flash flooding.Many of the city's subway systems, streets and highways were flooded, while at least one terminal at LaGuardia Airport was closed on Friday.Up to 8in (20cm) of rain fell in some parts of the city, and another few inches are expected later on Friday, forecasters said.

"This is a dangerous, deadly storm," Gov. Kathy Hochul said."I am declaring a state of emergency in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley due to the heavy rain we are seeing across the region," Gov. Hochul said on X.She urged people to take steps to stay safe and "never try to travel on flooded roads".

No deaths or serious injuries were reported.A state of emergency was also declared in Hoboken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams warned the public that it was time for "heightened vigilance and extreme caution" as a state of emergency was put in place."Some of our subways are flooded and it is extremely difficult to move around the city," he told a press briefing.On Friday evening, Mr Adams told CBS, the BBC's partner in the US, that 15 had been rescued from the car and three from the basement apartment.

The flooding caused major disruptions to New York's subway system and Metro North commuter rail service, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. Some subway lines were suspended entirely, and many stations were closed.In Mamaroneck, a Westchester County suburb north of the city, emergency officials used inflatable rafts to rescue people trapped in flooded buildings, Reuters reported.Pictures and video footage showed people wading through water up to their knees, as streets and subways were hit by heavy rain. Some videos posted on social media showed water pouring from the roof and walls of the subway station and onto the submerged platform.

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More than 2.5 inches of rain fell in one hour at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In a virtual briefing, Rohit Aggarwala, New York's chief climate officer, said the city's sewer system was designed to handle just 1.75 inches per hour.

"It's not surprising that parts of Brooklyn have suffered," he said.

In South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, workers waded through knee-high water as they tried to unclog sewers as cardboard and other debris floated by.One resident, Kelly Hayes, told the BBC she estimated the flood damage to her bar and kitchen in the Gowanus neighborhood to be between $25,000 and $30,000 (£20,500-$24,500).The terminal at La Guardia Airport was closed due to flooding, authorities said.

Passengers were advised to check with their airline before travelling.

The New York Police Department also announced multiple road closures and said the National Guard had been deployed.Elsewhere, a stretch of the FDR Drive — a major thoroughfare on Manhattan's east side — brought traffic to a standstill as water rose over car tires.New York City has received about 14 inches of rain so far this month, making it the wettest September since 1882, according to National Weather Service data.