29 September 2023 , 16:03
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing some criticism for his response to the warning of flash flooding as parts of the city were left underwater.
Mr Adams was late to issue a response after the National Weather Service (NWS) warned of flash flooding over a flash-flooding. He issued a state of emergency in the city a number of hours after state Governor Kathy Hochul.
It was the wettest day in New York since 1948, weather officials confirmed.
In a press conference today, the mayor said the decision was taken to issue the declaration around the same time as Governor Hochul. Later, he told 1010 WINS people would have had to have been living "under a rock" if anyone was caught off guard."
Since the NWS warning, there has been heavy rainfall with every single subway line affected, flooded streets, reports of people trapped in basements and major roads closed in both directions.
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On Twitter, the Democrat has retweeted several warnings about the weather, but was late to make a comment himself. Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.
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Mayor Adams is accused of a late response (Chris Moore/MediaPunch/IPx)
Streets are underwater (AP)Schools also remained open and Mayor Adams said “We do not have any issues dangerous issues at our schools, our children are in the schools. They are properly being educated. And I believe the chancellor made the right call.”
State Senator Jessica Ramos - a fellow Democrat tipped to challenge for the mayoralty in 2025 - claimed "we need to get it together" in response to the flooding. "The National Weather Service warned of flash flooding on Thursday morning," she said. "Why wasn't a press release sent to local community and ethnic media? Instead, immigrant New Yorkers are no scrambling to deal with this flooding."
The situation comes amid flash flood warnings of heavy rain set to fall from early morning today up and through to Friday evening. LaGuardia airport reported its Terminal A had been cut off and pictures taken from the Williamsburg Bridge show FDR Drive at a standstill with cars trapped in front of water in the road.
Highs of over six inches have been recorded in some areas and most areas are now under at least four inches of rain. Witnesses have reported trains being shut down and their only way out of stations being through ankle-deep water.
Manhattan borough president Mark D. Levine said FDR and Delancey Street were closed in both directions. "Use extreme caution if you must travel," he said.