New York City just got walloped by a rainstorm so fierce it’s etched its name as the second-wettest hour in the city’s history. On Monday evening, a staggering 2.07 inches of rain drenched Central Park in just 60 minutes, unleashing chaos with flash floods that turned streets into rivers and subways into swimming pools. This wasn’t just a drizzle; it was a deluge of biblical proportions.
According to New York Post, from Manhattan to Queens, and spilling over into New Jersey, this storm overwhelmed infrastructure, shuttered major roads, grounded flights, and tragically claimed two lives across the Hudson.
Let’s rewind to Monday evening, when the skies opened up between 6:51 p.m. and 7:51 p.m., dumping over two inches of rain on Central Park. As FOX Forecast Center meteorologist Christopher Tate noted, “New York City picked up a hair over 2 inches last night.” Well, Christopher, that “hair” turned into a full-blown tsunami for commuters and drivers alike.
Subway stations bore the brunt of this watery assault, with dramatic footage showing floodwaters cascading into places like the 28th Street station in Manhattan. Passengers on the 1 train line were trapped, with one unnamed conductor wisely stating, “I’m gonna call this one in.” Smart move—because playing lifeguard shouldn’t be part of the job description.
The flooding didn’t stop there; the 1, 2, and 3 lines were completely suspended across Manhattan due to multiple swamped stations. In Queens, the M and R trains bound for Forest Hills crawled through delays as water inundated platforms. It’s almost as if the city’s infrastructure waved a white flag.
Above ground, the situation wasn’t any prettier, with major roads like the Saw Mill River Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway shut down under sheets of water. Visuals across the city painted a grim picture—cars half-submerged, sidewalks transformed into raging streams, and ceilings leaking like sieves. If this is climate resilience, someone needs to rewrite the playbook.
New York’s emergency services took to social media, issuing urgent flash flood warnings for the city and mid-Hudson areas. Meanwhile, airports—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark—ground to a halt with lengthy delays, stranding travelers in a storm of frustration. One has to wonder if the progressive push for green infrastructure forgot to account for actual rain.
Thankfully, authorities reported no deaths or injuries in the Big Apple—a small mercy amid the mayhem. Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the effort, saying, 'I want to thank our first responders, city workers, and everyday New Yorkers for taking our warnings seriously.' Credit where it’s due, Mr. Mayor—New Yorkers listened, and that saved lives this time.
But let’s not get too cozy with gratitude yet. Adams also claimed, “This is how we meet the moment in a city facing rising climate risks.” Meeting the moment shouldn’t mean wading through knee-deep water to catch a train—maybe it’s time for real solutions, not soundbites.
Across the river in New Jersey, the storm’s toll was far graver, with two women losing their lives in Plainfield when their car was swept away by floodwaters into Cedar Brook. First responders couldn’t save them, a heartbreaking reminder of nature’s unforgiving power. Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency, urging residents to hunker down and avoid travel.
Towns like Somerville and Plainfield saw vehicles and emergency rigs overwhelmed by floods, some even tipped over in the torrent. In North Plainfield, a flooded neighborhood witnessed a house catch fire and collapse—possibly from an explosion—after the family thankfully evacuated. This isn’t just a weather event; it’s a wake-up call.
New Jersey’s tragedy stands in stark contrast to the city’s focus on trendy climate talking points over practical flood defenses. While no one can control the rain, surely we can prioritize infrastructure over ideological pet projects. Lives depend on it.
By early Tuesday, officials had lifted most flash flood watches and warnings in both New York and New Jersey, though water still covered many roads and streets. Forecasters predicted rain and scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, though they expected them to be less intense than Monday’s downpour. Still, after this debacle, even a sprinkle feels like a threat.
Reflecting on the chaos, MTA CEO Janno Lieber admitted, “What happened last night is something that is, you know, a reality in our system.” Indeed, this is reality—but shouldn’t city officials prepare a city of this caliber better, rather than constantly react to the next disaster?
Let’s hope this historic deluge sparks a serious conversation about fortifying our cities against such events, minus the usual political grandstanding. New York and New Jersey deserve leadership that builds resilience with concrete action, not just lofty promises. After all, the next storm won’t wait for us to get our act together.
