According to CNN, a month's worth of rain fell on the Brooklyn area of New York City in just 3 hours.
Record rains overwhelmed New York City's drainage system, causing floodwaters to rise and engulf streets, basements, schools, subways and vehicles across America's most populous city.
People walk through floodwaters in the suburb of Mamaroneck, New York City on September 29. Photo: Reuters
The National Weather Service said 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain fell at John F. Kennedy Airport, surpassing the record for any September rainfall since 1960, when Hurricane Donna struck.
So far there have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries.
Highway Patrol officers monitor a flooded street on September 29. Photo: Reuters
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have declared a state of emergency and urged people to stay home when possible.
Traffic is paralyzed in some areas. Photo: Reuters
According to the AP news agency, schools remain open, students attend class and many people still go to work but have difficulty getting around.
Flights arriving at LaGuardia Airport were delayed due to flooding in the refueling area. Flooding also forced the closure of one of the airport's three terminals.
A man holds a sandbag on a flooded sidewalk in Hoboken, New Jersey on September 29. Photo: AP
Hoboken, New Jersey and other cities and towns around New York City were also flooded.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called on state offices to close at 3 p.m. local time, except for essential personnel who will continue to work.
Floodwaters inundate a subway station in New York. Photo: Reuters
New York City climate director Rohit Aggarwala said the weather pattern is a result of climate change, and the climate in the US is changing faster than infrastructure can adapt.
As the Earth warms, storms that form in warmer air will hold more moisture, causing extreme rainfall to occur more frequently, according to atmospheric scientists .
This is the third time in two years that rain has fallen at a rate of 5 centimeters per hour in Central Park in New York, and that is unusual, said climate scientist Adam Sobel at Columbia University.
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