New York in state of emergency after flash flooding

A state of emergency was declared in New York City after flash floods caused by record rain overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure.

Many of the city’s subway systems, streets and highways were under water, while at least one terminal of the La Guardia Airport was closed on Friday before reopening later. Water also entered 150 schools while residents in a Brooklyn building said raw sewage seeped into their apartments.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and urged residents to stay home. “This is a very challenging weather event,” she said. “This a life-threatening event. And I need all New Yorkers to heed that warning so we can keep them safe.”

More rain fell at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport than any other day since 1948. A month’s worth of rain fell in Brooklyn in the span of three hours.

No deaths or serious injuries have been reported.

Flooding a result of climate change — New York Chief Climate Officer

Responding to the floods, Rohit Aggarwala, New York City’s Chief Climate Officer said the extreme weather is a result of climate change. “This changing weather pattern is the result of climate change, and the sad reality is our climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can respond,” he said.

As global temperatures increase, weather systems absorb more water vapour. The increased energy in the system, meanwhile, means that vapour is released in more violent and intense storms. Action to mitigate climate change remains critically insufficient, with the world currently in danger of breaching the 1.5°C limit advised by scientists.

Extreme weather events have also put increased scrutiny on poor and substandard infrastructure. After Storm Daniel hit Libya earlier this month, Libya’s chief prosecutor ordered an investigation after the storm destroyed two poorly-maintained dams and lead to the deaths of thousands in the port city of Derna. Such failures in infrastructure are expected to become more common as extreme weather events push poorly designed or poorly maintained infrastructure closer to breaking point.