Pounding Rain Turns New York City into a “Swamp City”: Flash Floods and Life-Threatening Deluge Paralyze the Big Apple

By , September 30, 2023


Torrential downpours in New York City on Friday led to flash flooding, causing disruption to subway services, flooding ground-level apartments, and transforming streets into small lakes. With almost 200 millimeters of rain falling in certain areas, the city experienced one of its wettest Septembers on record. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, warning of “life-threatening” floods.

### Impact on Transportation

The flooding caused major disruptions to New York’s subway system and the Metro North commuter rail service. Some subway lines were suspended entirely, and many stations were forced to close. Additionally, several bus routes experienced significant delays, trapping passengers for extended periods. Officials advised New Yorkers to avoid unnecessary travel, especially if they were in flood-affected areas.

### Potential Causes of Extreme Weather

The intense rainfall experienced in New York City is part of a larger global trend towards more extreme weather patterns. Climate scientists have linked these occurrences to global warming. As the Earth’s temperature rises, it disrupts the planet’s atmospheric system, leading to more frequent and intense rainfall events.

### Heavy Rainfall in September

New York’s September rainfall has been unusually high, with 349 millimeters recorded by 11 am on Friday. This places it as one of the wettest Septembers in history. The record for September rainfall in New York City was set in 1882 when 427 millimeters fell. While it is uncertain if the current rainfall will surpass that record, the city is likely to come close.

### Public Response and Criticism

Despite the warnings and dangerous conditions, New York City’s public schools remained open, creating difficulties and safety concerns for students and parents. The decision to keep the schools operational has been met with criticism, as some buildings experienced flooding, although there were no operational impacts reported.

Residents and officials criticized the city’s lack of warning about the flooding, drawing parallels to a similar lack of warning in June when toxic smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted south. The frustration is compounded by the ongoing suffering of residents in low-lying areas, such as The Hole, who have experienced significant damage due to inadequate drainage systems.

### Response from Local Government

New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended the city’s response, stating that all necessary precautions were taken. However, the flooding in neighboring New Jersey, particularly in low-lying Hoboken, demonstrated some of the challenges faced by the region. Hoboken declared a state of emergency, with many roads underwater and floodgates designed to prevent such situations were not functioning correctly.

### Conclusion and Future Preparations

The extreme weather events in New York City underscore the urgent need for both local and global action on climate change. The city must invest in improved infrastructure, including drainage systems, to mitigate the impact of future flooding. Additionally, individuals should be vigilant and prepared for extreme weather events by heeding official warnings and taking necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Australian authorities can also learn from these events, as extreme weather events become more common worldwide. They must prioritize funding and resources towards climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to ensure the resilience of communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems in the face of future challenges.