New York experienced one of its wettest days in decades on Friday, with heavy rainfall causing havoc. The deluge disrupted subway and commuter rail services, left drivers stranded on highways, flooded basements, and closed LaGuardia Airport’s terminal for hours.
John F. Kennedy Airport recorded a record-breaking 8.65 inches of rain, surpassing a September record set in 1960 during Hurricane Donna. Parts of Brooklyn received over 7.25 inches of rain, with some areas getting 2.5 inches in just one hour.
The storm brought back memories of Hurricane Ida, which caused severe flooding and fatalities in 2021. Although no deaths or severe injuries were reported in this storm, it caused significant disruptions, including suspended subway and bus services and traffic standstills.
The heavy rainfall was attributed to the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia and a mid-latitude system, underscoring the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events due to climate change.