Subways Halted and Roads Closed... New York Struggles with Severe Flooding

Another Round of Major Flooding Hits New Jersey and Surrounding Areas

Heavy rainfall struck the eastern United States, including New York, resulting in flooded subway stations and paralyzed major city roads, causing a series of damages. The subway system experienced large-scale flooding, major roads were closed, and flight operations were also disrupted.

According to local media such as AP and CNN, on July 31 (local time), highways connecting Philadelphia and New York were flooded, leaving drivers stranded on the roads before being rescued.

On the 31st of last month (local time), rainwater pouring into a New York subway station. SNS capture

Videos shared by New York residents showed water pouring forcefully from the ceiling of the platform at Grand Central Station in Manhattan, drenching trains and the floor. One passenger told CNN, "It felt like being in a car wash inside the train."

Major roads and highways throughout New York City were also closed. On highways between Philadelphia and New York, rising waters left cars stranded and drivers had to be rescued.

In the Queens area of New York, a driver was seen standing on top of a car isolated by floodwaters. In Reading, Pennsylvania, parked vehicles were submerged and water was seen rushing down narrow streets.

Flooded road in Staten Island, New York, on the 31st of last month (local time). SNS video capture

Flood damage occurred not only in New York but also across a wide area including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Notably, similar heavy rain damage occurred just two weeks earlier, on July 14, indicating that the frequency of extreme weather events caused by climate change is increasing.

In Baltimore, Maryland, AP reported that rescue workers saved several people from flooded vehicles.

Meanwhile, New York is considered a region vulnerable to flooding. This is because there are many low-lying, densely populated areas and most of the city is covered with concrete, making it difficult for rainwater to be absorbed. The city's drainage system is designed to handle about 25 to 27 millimeters of rainfall per hour, but recent downpours have far exceeded this capacity.