New York floods: Death toll climbs, subway services suspended

New York and New
Jersey declared a state of emergency late Wednesday (Thursday in India) as record-breaking
rains due to tropical storm Ida led to floods that have killed at least 14 people, including a toddler, according to local media sources. “I am declaring a state of emergency
to help New Yorkers affected by tonight’s storm,” New York governor Kathy
Hochul wrote on Twitter.

New York City
mayor Bill de Blasio called the heavy rains a “historic weather event”. The
National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency in New York City for
the first time. New Jersey city of Passaic, Mayor Hector Lora told CNN that at
least one person was killed after floods inundated the city.

Also Read | New York bus passengers forced to stand on seats as flash floods hit city | Watch

Lora said the body
of a man in his seventies was retrieved from floodwaters. The vehicle the man
was riding was swept away by the water. Firefighters, who went to rescue him,
were swept away under the vehicle which prevented them from reaching him.

All New York City
subway lines were suspended late Wednesday. The rains are being caused by
remnants of Ida caused torrential rainfall. Non-emergency vehicles have been banned
in New York City’s streets until 5 am (local time). The National Weather Office
issued at least five flash flood emergencies by Wednesday evening, stretching
from west of Philadelphia through northern New Jersey.

Also Read | Hurricane Ida not done with US yet; storm’s remnants rip Northeast

Earlier, New
Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote on Twitter that 81,740 power outages were
reported on Wednesday. Officials say they have been astounded by the damage
caused by Ida three days after it slowed down from its hurricane status. Tornadoes
spawned by the storm caused heavy damage in parts of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey.

Images on social
media showed water gushing over New York City’s subway platforms and trains.
Subway service was “extremely limited” due to flooding, the Metropolitan
Transit Authority said.