Torrential rain swept through Brooklyn on Thursday evening, flooding streets and sending water into basements and other low-lying areas across the city.

In Crown Heights, the downpour sent water into several areas of 770, leaving substantial portions of the main zal and downstairs areas soaked.

As water began accumulating, bochurim quickly removed sefarim from lower shelves in affected areas, moving them to higher shelves and other elevated surfaces. Tefillin and other belongings stored in lower lockers in the basement were likewise moved out of reach of the water.

Members of 770’s sanitation crew were quickly mobilized, mopping up the water and cleaning the affected areas once the heaviest downpour had subsided.

Undeterred by the conditions, bochurim relocated from the flooded sections to unaffected areas, including the extended Ezras Noshim, where they continued learning Torah diligently as the storm continued outside.

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Brooklyn and Manhattan shortly before 5:40 p.m., which remained in effect until 7:45 p.m., as intense rainfall moved through the city during the evening commute. New York City remains under a Flood Watch through 2:00 a.m. Friday, with forecasters warning that rainfall rates could approach two inches per hour in some areas.

Although flooding at 770 during severe storms is hardly unprecedented, Thursday’s flooding was noticeably less severe than on previous occasions, following extensive efforts by 770’s management to improve drainage and carry out repairs intended to prevent water from entering the building.

The flooding came at particularly unfortunate timing, just after an extensive cleaning of the main shul ahead of Tishrei, including work over the past week to clean and polish the floor.