The 3 Worst Flash Floods in New York City’s History

New York, NY is not where you go to experience the wonders of nature. In fact, Central Park and the Bronx Zoo may be your only chances to connect with nature. “The city”, as it is called by locals, is not generally associated with nature, including natural disasters like flash floods. However, even the most urban and developed places are subject to the forces of Mother Nature – she does not discriminate!

New York City has experienced extreme flooding, with some of the most disastrous events taking place within the past few years. Urban areas are particularly ill-suited to deal with flash flooding, as drainage systems can get easily clogged. With fewer natural waterways, the flood waters struggle to recede. Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of major city flooding is dense population, which increases the risk of casualties. Let’s learn about the worst flash floods in NYC history.

Hurricane Ida’s Remnants

In September 2021, Hurricane Ida swept the nation, after first hitting Cuba as a low-level hurricane on August 27th. After intensifying over the Gulf of Mexico, it hit Louisiana on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, August 29th, destroying the small town of Grand Isle and affecting several areas. Over one million people in Louisiana lost power and many areas experienced devastating floods.

How does a hurricane in Louisiana affect NYC? The remnants of the storm traveled up the coast, leading to severe, sudden, and unexpected rainfall along the eastern seaboard. This downpour caused New York City’s first-ever official Flash Flood Emergency Warning. In the New York Metropolitan Area, over 40 people died.

During September 1st and 2nd of 2021, over 6 inches of rain fell in a few hours, drenching the region and overwhelming underground transportation and drainage systems. Many of the people who drown were living in basements or “garden level” apartments and could not evacuate in time. Sadly, neighbors were unable to reach victims due to rushing water. One lucky resident who made it out reported waking up at 10pm to ankle-deep water that became chest-deep in mere minutes. In some cases, rushing water was so strong that it broke windows and ripped doors off their hinges. Several other people died in cars.

In the Northeast alone, this storm caused up to $24 billion in damages. Over the whole Northeast region, thousands of boat rescues took place. Trains were forced to stop in their tracks, leaving commuters completely stranded with no water, food, ventilation, or restrooms until rescue crews could get people out, in some cases up to 14 hours later. On some tracks, water levels rose up to the train windows. However, inside, everyone stayed dry.

July 2022 NYC Flash Flood: Clogged Drains and a Sinkhole

In July of 2022, the forces of rain once again worked against the urban environment in NYC. During heavy rain, a drain in Inwood became clogged, causing water to rush into the Dyckman Street Station, affecting the 1 line. Social media footage from throughout the day showed other stations with water rushing in from above, and straphangers muddling through ankle-deep water to exit some stations.

However, perhaps most concerning from that day is that a 58-foot-long sinkhole emerged in the Bronx. The sinkhole swallowed a van and damaged a water main affecting 75 households. Luckily, no one was injured by the sinkhole or floods that day.

Hurricane Sandy

Flash Floods

The flash floods associated with Hurricane Sandy were some of the worst flood events in NYC. This huge storm swept through the region in October of 2012. Yet, by 2020, the city was still dealing with the aftereffects of Hurricane Sandy.

According to one meteorologist, the storm was a literal worst-case scenario for the city that never sleeps. It happened during a full moon and higher tide than usual, leading to a storm surge of 13 feet. New York Harbor even had one wave that was 32 feet high.

All of New York city is surrounded by water, making it uniquely vulnerable to storm surges. A flood at a power station in the Lower East Side killed power for all of Manhattan below 34th street, which makes up a huge portion of the city.

In oceanside communities like Canarsie and Rockaway, cars floated down the street and flood waters reached the second level of some homes. Residents had no power, running water, or cell service. Due to this storm, more than 40 people died in New York City alone.

The hardest hit areas of the city were Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. The storm surge on Staten Island killed over 20 people. Entire blocks were completely washed away in some neighborhoods. In Lower Manhattan, the South Ferry/Whitehall subway station was destroyed, as it flooded with up to 80 feet of seawater. The station had just been redone four years earlier to accommodate system changes related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The station did not reopen again until 2017.

Other Damage

However, it wasn’t only flooding that caused damage. Sea water infiltrated electrical panels in homes, setting them on fire. Over 100 homes burned down despite the heavy rains. The sheer force of the wind blew down the front of an apartment building, along with plenty of trees and telephone poles. Many underground transportation tunnels were filled with seawater. The transportation system is still suffering from damage, with repair work and upgrades lacking completion.

Is Flooding in NYC Getting Worse?

Experts agree that extreme flooding events in New York City are becoming more frequent. While the city works to upgrade infrastructure to protect people against flooding, it’s important to follow recommendations from city notifications and meteorologists. Take weather warnings seriously, be prepared for a natural disaster, and learn how to stay safe in a flood, even if you live in an urban area like NYC.

Some experts believe these worsening storms are due to climate change. Climate change is real; the climate is getting warmer, which immediately results in stronger storms that deliver more rain, resulting in strong flooding events like the ones listed here.

Whether a resident or visitor, be sure to stay safe and prepared in NYC!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com