Flooding on Bronx River Parkway submerges cars during severe thunderstorms
BRONXVILLE, New York (WABC) -- Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms left two cars completely submerged in floodwaters in Westchester County on Tuesday.
It happened underneath the Palmer Avenue overpass for the Bronx River Parkway in Bronxville.
The Bronx River swelled past its banks and swallowed large portions of the parkway, leaving the line separating the river and roadway completely submerged at Palmer Avenue.
The two cars got trapped as floodwaters started heading downstream faster than traffic could escape to higher ground.
Everyone was rescued, but it was a harrowing moment.
Saul Pesante says he and his passenger quickly scrambled to the roof as water filled his Toyota Rav 4. Thankfully, rescue workers threw a rope and helped them get to dry land.
"The rescue is coming. We grab the rope. We don't expect this is going to happen," Pesante said.
He said the road went from passable, to the deep end of a pool in a flash when a huge wave swept in and submerged his car.
"If they move a little bit, we have a chance, but it was like that," he said. "Next thing, a big wave came."
On the other side of the river is a parking lot for the village. The Department of Public Works is now pumping water back into the river to keep it from seeping into the buildings.
For local families, the thunderstorms were frightening, but the aftermath is shocking.
"There was thunder like a shot gun," said 12-year-old Griffin Palmese. "Me and mom screamed."
"We were just last Sunday riding bikes down here just to see how quickly the water accumulated, it's crazy," said resident Jennifer Palmese.
Twelve-year-old Griffin said it's amazing to think about what it is normally, and what it is now.
A village worker told Eyewitness News they could handle all the water that came down during the thunderstorm. The flooding didn't happen until all the water from up north began gushing downriver and ran out of room.
There's no word yet if the parkway will dry out in time for the morning commute.
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
