Drenching rain triggers flooding, prompts rescues in New York City, parts of the Tri-State
Hackensack was hit especially hard; firefighters estimate half the city was flooded
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Rounds of severe thunderstorms loaded with drenching rain triggered flash flooding throughout New Jersey, New York City and other parts of the Tri-State area on Tuesday, prompting rescues.
NEW JERSEY
One of the hardest hit areas was Hackensack, New Jersey, where a rescue truck was busy rolling though flooded streets looking for residents in distress.
The fire department estimated that nearly half of the city was flooded from the downpours, and urged people not to drive into flooded areas. They say multiple rescues had to be made by firefighters.
Images appeared to show some roads completely swallowed by water, including Central Avenue and Passaic Street.
Over in Englewood, Eyewitness News reporter Lucy Yang saw rescued civilians in a fire truck.
A block away on Grand Avenue, the area underneath the Route 4 overpass was completely submerged.
One viewer posted a video as he walked through knee-deep water trying to get to work.
On Cedar Lane, community members stepped up to help after an animal shelter completely flooded. Rescuers were able to save six dogs during the storms while various residents opened up their homes to the animals.
Also in Englewood, the basement inside the Church of Atonement was submerged in water so strong, it even ripped a part of a door off.
"We thought maybe it would be a few inches... and it ended up being like three feet of water in here at least," said Church of Atonement rector Lynne Weber.
After the rain tapered off and the water receded, Rev. Weber and her husband were left with a mess. Everything from her artwork to the floor and walls of the once finished basement is now destroyed.
"We had furniture... all of which we had to throw out and a computer, lots of books, children's books. We've lost just a lot," she said.
In Englewood Cliffs, drenching rain flooded a ramp onto the Palisades Parkway.
On Wednesday, officials spoke out about the recovery process.
NEW YORK CITY
In New York City, flood water inundated the Henry Hudson Parkway, where FDNY firefighters had to rescue a driver at West 249th Street. The highway was temporarily closed at West 232nd Street, but has reopened with residual delays.
In the Kingsbridge Heights section of Bronx, residents on Clafin Avenue are going to have some difficulty getting around as the street has been blocked by a downed tree. Fortunately, the tree did not take out any powerlines.
Flooding led to the closure of all northbound lanes of the Major Deegan Expressway approaching West 234th Street.
It's the same area of the Deegan that flooded and turned into a river when the remnants of Ida fell in 2021.
NYC Emergency Management says they rescued six people from the Cross Island Expressway Tuesday night.
NYPD drones not only highlighted the gridlocked, flooded roadways, they were deployed before the storm moved in, blasting messages warning residents of potential danger.
In the Williamsbridge section, Citizen App video captured footage of water flooding a staircase inside an apartment building.
Residents there have long complained about water damage. On Wednesday, residents were still on edge and arguing to the point where police officers were called.
In the Fieldston section of Riverdale, a tree narrowly missed hitting a car.
Nearby in Kingsbridge Heights, a bigger one did not miss - hitting a couple of vehicles. They were just two of nearly 130 fallen trees the city responded to.
LONG ISLAND
On Long Island, police had to rescue two people from a BMW on Cedar Swamp Road in Glen Cove, where water was way too high to safely drive through. The road was closed until the water receded.
Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.
TRANSIT DELAYS
Mass transit throughout the Tri-State was also being impacted by the storms.
NJ Transit
Service on the Morris & Essex line has resumed with residual delays. All other branches are back to running on or close to schedule.
LIRR
Service changes and delays also continue to impact the Long Island Rail Road.
POWER OUTAGES
New Jersey had 9,592 customers without power as of 10:30 p.m.
New York State had 3,352 customers without power as of 10:30 p.m.
AIRPORTS
There were hundreds of delays and flight cancellations at the three major New York City-area airports on Tuesday. Service at area airports has resumed and flights are running on or close to schedule.
Total delays Tuesday at Newark Liberty Intl: 271
Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today at Newark Liberty Intl: 271
Total cancellations Tuesday at Newark Liberty Intl: 306
Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today at Newark Liberty Intl: 306
Total delays Tuesday at John F Kennedy Intl: 418
Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today at John F Kennedy Intl: 418
Total cancellations Tuesday at John F Kennedy Intl: 282
Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today at John F Kennedy Intl: 282
Total delays Tuesday at LaGuardia: 243
Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today at LaGuardia: 243
Total cancellations Tuesday at LaGuardia: 388
Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today at LaGuardia: 388
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