Extremes rainstorms dropped several inches of water on New York City on Friday just as Jewish residents are preparing to celebrate Sukkos.
By Anash.org reporter
Extremes rainstorms dropped several inches of water on New York City on Friday just as Jewish residents are preparing to celebrate Sukkos.
The extreme downpour overwhelmed sewers and flooded roads in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Hoboken, New Jersey, forcing road closures there.
Heavy rainfall was also flooding basements in the city just as many basements in Crown Heights are filled with guests who are spending the month of Tishrei by the Rebbe.
Videos posted on social media showed cars plowing through knee-deep water in Brooklyn and the MTA has suspended service on several bus and subway lines.
Cellphone footage taken aboard an MTA bus at 18th Avenue and 60th Street in Brooklyn’s Bensonhurst neighborhood showed floodwaters gushing into the vehicle filled with passengers, among them children, who tried to stay dry by lifting their feet off the floor.
A month’s worth of rain – more than 4 inches – fell over parts of Brooklyn in just three hours Friday morning.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency in the five boroughs, the Hudson Valley and Long Island. The order allows the state to swiftly provide resources locally in case rescues, evacuations, or other services are needed.
“I have directed all State agencies to provide all necessary resources to address this extreme weather event,” said Hochul in a statement. “It is critical that all New Yorkers take all necessary precautions and avoid flooded roads, which are some of the most dangerous places during flash floods.”
The rain will finally begin to lighten up by Friday night but will linger into the first half of the day on Shabbos.
New York City and surrounding areas have been hit with several days of rain since last weekend, which is expected to make the flooding worse.
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