Weather
NYC Weather: Roads, Subways Flooded As Major Storm Hits City
Videos and photos posted on social media show the extent of the flooding as a storm drenched New York City.
NEW YORK CITY — A storm that hit New York City Thursday left city roadways and subways flooded – hours before Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to bring another drenching downpour.
Sections of the Henry Hudson Parkway and Major Deegan Expressway in The Bronx were shut down, with reports of motorists stuck in their cars.
"It's the most miserable commute I've had since 2018," said Dr. Allison Ludwig, who was trying to make her way home to New Jersey and remembered a 2o18 November snowstorm that left traffic completely gridlocked.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"There are police everywhere directing us away from roads. I have no idea how I'm going to get home."
This is the Major Deegan Expressway in NYC after a vicious downpour a short while ago. pic.twitter.com/cJVYGsiTAo
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) July 8, 2021
#HappeningNow Traffic Advisory, please avoid the Major Deegan Expressway in the v/o 179th Street due to severe flooding. #NYPD SRG is conducting rescue operations utilizing a barrier truck to remove stranded motorists from their vehicles. pic.twitter.com/wZnil61zqV
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) July 8, 2021
Roads were reopened shortly around 5:40 p.m., according to NYPD.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Water pooled on the Cross Bronx Expressway led to delays of 75 minutes on the George Washington Bridge shortly after 6 p.m.
The GWB Lower to NY has a delay of 75 minutes due to flooding on the Cross Bronx Expressway.
— GWB. Wear a Face Covering. (@PANYNJ_GWB) July 8, 2021
Flooding also hit the Harlem River Drive, with pictures on social media showing vehicles standing in pools of water.
More footage showed murky waist-deep water practically filling the 157th Street 1 Line Train Station:
Some subway system ya got there. This is the 157th St. 1 line right now. @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio pic.twitter.com/xyfTAUPPNu
— Paullee (@PaulleeWR) July 8, 2021
Straphangers brought large garbage bags in order to traverse the platforms, some successfully and others not so.
And…an attempt. pic.twitter.com/VHk3Rnv6zd
— Paullee (@PaulleeWR) July 8, 2021
Flooding and curtains of rainwater pouring onto platforms was also reported at Penn Station, Grand Central, 42nd St-Bryant Park, Dyckman Street and 149th St-Grand Concourse.
34th St-Penn Station turned into something like a national park with this Old Faithful-like feature.
How’s your summer going? ⛈ pic.twitter.com/HJENycDyqb
— Douglas Stuart (@Doug_D_Stuart) July 8, 2021
@MTA How is this acceptable?
Orange line inside 42nd street stop pic.twitter.com/KVsLcFJdIo
— Fiona (@fiona79us) July 8, 2021
DYCKMAN IN SHAMBLES RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/VYWqudsbpw
— JACKSON AKA STYLEZ (@2random2predict) July 8, 2021
@lirr @mta @NYCMayor @NYGovCuomo Love what you guys have done to the place The New #PennStation welcome to #NYC stay a while #LIRR #MTA pic.twitter.com/dgpE7Wq5dY
— Mike P. (@Mike1012) July 8, 2021
Flights have been affected due to the severe weather and thunderstorms.
LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport have ground delay times of at least 30 minutes, as of reporting time. [Check this page for JFK arrival and departure delay times]
Tropical storm Elsa is expected to hammer the city from 2 a.m. Friday, but Thursday's storm was unconnected to it.
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