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Hurricane Ida has devastated 6 states in the US north-east. The flash-flooding and tornadoes have killed dozens of people and the final death toll isn’t clear yet. The BBC reports at least 45 people dead, CNN reports at least 46, while The New York Times places the toll at 43. The NYT states that many of those who lost their lives were killed in basement apartments in a storm that was caused by the remnants of a hurricane that struck New Orleans earlier.
To understand just how serious the situation is, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for NYC. For the very first time in history. It’s yet another piece of proof that climate change is very real and that its effects are horrendous. US President Joe Biden said that “historic investment” is needed to deal with the current climate crisis, which is “a matter of life and death.”
Photos from NYC show the apocalyptic flooding that the city’s inhabitants are having to deal with. And it is as terrifying as it is heartbreaking.
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#1
Dan Buczynski 4 years ago
You're a massive asshole if you call for delivery during something like that. Eat the ramen you have in the back of your cabinet.
RELATED:
#2
"Get a basement apartment in New York they said. It'll be fun they said"
New York City and New Jersey saw unprecedented levels of rainfall and caused residents to become trapped in flooded basements and cars. The BBC reports that 23 people died in New Jersey, 14 in New York, 5 in Pennsylvania, 1 each in Connecticut, Maryland, and Virginia.
Thousands of people were left without power. However, transit in NYC is slowly returning to normal after the flooding on Friday.
#4
"Flooding wasn’t the only problem last night as fires broke out on the track and people had to walk through tunnels while abandoning subway cars"
#6
"Current flooding situation in NYC. NYC recording their highest level of rainfall since 1800"
Bill de Blasio, New York City’s mayor, said that the devastation was “the biggest wake-up call we could possibly get,” referring to climate change.
"We are in a new world now, let's be blunt," de Blasio said. He added that the US will have to do a lot of things “differently” and “quickly,” as the frequency and intensity of storms rise in the country.
According to CNN, over 20 million people remain under flood warnings. Some rivers in the US north-east are likely to remain flooded into Friday and even the weekend.
#8
Storm Ida made landfall on Sunday, August 29, as a Category 4 hurricane. Though it reduced in intensity as it approached the north-east of the country, it nonetheless wreaked havoc.
“I want to know who knew what when and what could have been done differently—because New Yorkers deserve to know what we're doing to learn from this event and make sure that it doesn't happen again,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul told CNN, advocating for moving toward carbon-neutral energy.
“We have no choice, my friends, the future we spoke about in dire terms, that future is now. It's happening, we're losing lives we're losing property and we cannot continue on this path,” Hochul said.
#10
#11
Natalie 4 years ago
Joseph Georgiadis - I don't think you appreciate just how dangerous floodwaters can be. The driver could have just abandoned those passengers on the wrong side of the flooding but he did his best to get them to their homes etc. It's not huge heroism but what else do you call putting yourself at risk for the benefit of strangers?
#13
"Lefrak buildings in Queens NY flooded from the storm.
We had to take a dog and a cat out the apartment but they are safe."
#18
"I am still in disbelief!!!! I am totally exhausted with this clean up!"
#20
#21
"NYC September 2nd 2021"
#23
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
For some reason, I read this as "Cats are floating..." until I saw a lack of cats.
#25
Mark Melton 4 years ago
Almost all of Manhattan's electric main is underground, in tunnels. Water plus electricity makes pretty sparks!
#26
BaconBenchPress616 4 years ago
You can see the bottom of the door just gives away and all that water comes flooding in.
#30
#33
"Basement car park, still working on it. No elevators. Building across from us. We got lucky our building does not have a basement."
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Gavin Johnson 4 years ago
Hey there fossil fuel burning nation, how’s about you vote for long term environmental policies instead of only looking until the next change of President? How about you push your senators to drop their funding from oil, gas and big business partners? Perhaps look further than your own economic wealth and invest in businesses that promote a system that will benefit the world as a whole? I have a huge amount of sympathy for the individuals who have had their lives wrecked but it’s time the whole nation took responsibility for a better approach to its impact on the global environment.
E A M 4 years ago
Can we also talk about getting the tornado warnings that told us to seek shelter in the basement while simultaneously getting flash flood warnings telling us to get to higher ground?
Dave P 4 years ago
This was the worst rainfall in NYC history, worse than Sandy though with lower winds. Our infrastructure is designed to handle normal loads, but we got more rain in 12 hours than any entire month of September on record. We are in the middle of a $12 billion upgrade to the subways to ensure better handling of water, only 2 years left on a 10 year project to finish. Also we are redoing over 30 neighborhoods for flood issues. My area was finished 2 years ago, and over 50 other neighborhoods have been finished. We know 4 of the 5 boroughs are on Islands, most of NYC is former swamp land, and we are at high risk of flooding. That is why we have spent billions since Sandy on fixing the problem.
Wouldiwas Shookspeared 4 years ago
My basement flooded :( I lost some stuff from my childhood because I didn’t realize it would flood that much yeah I know it’s my fault but still sad
Joseph OReilly 4 years ago
Don't worry guys, climate change is still totally a hoax! There's no flooding and it's all a conspiracy by bill Gates to put tracking chips in our shins. Yup. No other explanation.
Aleksandras Tvardauskas 4 years ago
For all living at an American coast line, please consider packing up and relocating your families deeper into the continent. The scientific society has predicted major sea level rising in the nearest future due to all the ice melting into the oceans. It is painful to watch all these people suffer from natural disasters so do your best to avoid being one of the victims. NY will be under the water, California will be under the water. At this point this is a matter of time and no amount of recycled straws will stop it. Act now so we won't see photos of you and your family in the next post. Stay safe, people. We are all in this together, yet alone. Take care of yourself and the people depending on you.
pelemele 4 years ago
woaww, very impressive, but I don't understand why there are still so many vehicles on the roads and people in the subway? Was it so sudden to take everyone by surprise? Anyway... good luck to the New Yorkers...
Sian Edwards 4 years ago
First the floods, then the rats. Because they will have headed to higher ground when the flooding started.
Joseph Cowlishaw 4 years ago
So crazy! Lived in NYC back in 2004/06. Can't imagine where all that water drains too...
chrissy goodman 4 years ago
my basement apartment at my in laws house just built been living with my husband there for 6 months got completely flooded. we live in long island suffolk county. our pool was close to overflowing and making our situation much much worse. we were ankle deep in water, we have water damage on the walls especially the window it came thru and our floor needs to b completely replaced. its a mess we r lucky we managed to save our furniture but kitchen cabinets, built in wall closet, moldings on every wall, our beautiful hardwood floors and the one entire wall in the 2nd bedroom has to b replaced. even our entrance needs to b fixed bc water came thru the bottom of it after awhile. my husband and father in law was outside all night until 4am using buckets to get water out of the well where the egrass window is. to make our situation worse we had no power so we couldnt use the wet vac to get the water out of the apartment quickly finally at 430am we got power and my husband and father in law used the wet vac to get as much water as they can out we call a water damage restoration company to do the rest around 6am. at 630 we all went to sleep although my anxeity disorder kept me up had to go into my dogs bed and cuddle with her in order to sleep. we now have to move everything we just moved into the apartment out. me myself just finished moving all my stuff out of my parents house 3 days before this happened. no power plus no generater plus massive flooding is not a good or fun combo. i hope others who got flooded at least had power and could at least see wat was happening and try to stop it
Helen Haley 4 years ago
In a place as packed and built upward as nyc, how are they going to handle mold after this?
Jason Mills 3 years ago
Can't count how many hurricanes/floods I've been through. The key is engineering that works with nature, not against it.
Sergey Soldatenkov 4 years ago
true democracy is absolute equality - burn in fire, or drown in s**t ...
More Thinking Needed 4 years ago
If you live anywhere in America, and the name Bill De Blasio shows up on an election ballot, cast your vote for anyone or anything else. If a worn shoe is the only other choice, vote for the worn shoe.
Earl Grey 4 years ago
There was no such storm event as this when I lived in NYC decades ago. I doubt that a flash flood warning would have meant anything actionable to most residents, and I expect that a large percentage of people affected had no flood insurance. Insurance companies do not cover flooding under normal storm damage insurance. Here in Florida a resident would need to carry a special policy to cover flood damage.
Eunice Chantily 4 years ago
YEP. Ida was a bifch!! Sat over us for 6 hours as a cat 4 Hurricane. Welcome to the South.
AspieGirl88 4 years ago
I just heard about a baby & 2 parents who lost their lives because they got trapped inside their New York basement apartment ... can only imagine how terrified that poor baby was & how desperate the parents must’ve felt, knowing there was no hope of escaping. I’m sure there are more than one basement apartment rented out, though & I hope they at least had enough warning to get out of there safely. 😢💔👨👩👧
Sergio Serg 4 years ago
Am I the only one that remembers the ride in Universal Studios Florida Earthquake ?
Devil's Advocate 4 years ago
If I knew flooding was likely, I think I'd make sure I waterproofed the door even if I had to silicone it shut!
Gavin Johnson 4 years ago
Hey there fossil fuel burning nation, how’s about you vote for long term environmental policies instead of only looking until the next change of President? How about you push your senators to drop their funding from oil, gas and big business partners? Perhaps look further than your own economic wealth and invest in businesses that promote a system that will benefit the world as a whole? I have a huge amount of sympathy for the individuals who have had their lives wrecked but it’s time the whole nation took responsibility for a better approach to its impact on the global environment.
E A M 4 years ago
Can we also talk about getting the tornado warnings that told us to seek shelter in the basement while simultaneously getting flash flood warnings telling us to get to higher ground?
Dave P 4 years ago
This was the worst rainfall in NYC history, worse than Sandy though with lower winds. Our infrastructure is designed to handle normal loads, but we got more rain in 12 hours than any entire month of September on record. We are in the middle of a $12 billion upgrade to the subways to ensure better handling of water, only 2 years left on a 10 year project to finish. Also we are redoing over 30 neighborhoods for flood issues. My area was finished 2 years ago, and over 50 other neighborhoods have been finished. We know 4 of the 5 boroughs are on Islands, most of NYC is former swamp land, and we are at high risk of flooding. That is why we have spent billions since Sandy on fixing the problem.
Wouldiwas Shookspeared 4 years ago
My basement flooded :( I lost some stuff from my childhood because I didn’t realize it would flood that much yeah I know it’s my fault but still sad
Joseph OReilly 4 years ago
Don't worry guys, climate change is still totally a hoax! There's no flooding and it's all a conspiracy by bill Gates to put tracking chips in our shins. Yup. No other explanation.
Aleksandras Tvardauskas 4 years ago
For all living at an American coast line, please consider packing up and relocating your families deeper into the continent. The scientific society has predicted major sea level rising in the nearest future due to all the ice melting into the oceans. It is painful to watch all these people suffer from natural disasters so do your best to avoid being one of the victims. NY will be under the water, California will be under the water. At this point this is a matter of time and no amount of recycled straws will stop it. Act now so we won't see photos of you and your family in the next post. Stay safe, people. We are all in this together, yet alone. Take care of yourself and the people depending on you.
pelemele 4 years ago
woaww, very impressive, but I don't understand why there are still so many vehicles on the roads and people in the subway? Was it so sudden to take everyone by surprise? Anyway... good luck to the New Yorkers...
Sian Edwards 4 years ago
First the floods, then the rats. Because they will have headed to higher ground when the flooding started.
Joseph Cowlishaw 4 years ago
So crazy! Lived in NYC back in 2004/06. Can't imagine where all that water drains too...
chrissy goodman 4 years ago
my basement apartment at my in laws house just built been living with my husband there for 6 months got completely flooded. we live in long island suffolk county. our pool was close to overflowing and making our situation much much worse. we were ankle deep in water, we have water damage on the walls especially the window it came thru and our floor needs to b completely replaced. its a mess we r lucky we managed to save our furniture but kitchen cabinets, built in wall closet, moldings on every wall, our beautiful hardwood floors and the one entire wall in the 2nd bedroom has to b replaced. even our entrance needs to b fixed bc water came thru the bottom of it after awhile. my husband and father in law was outside all night until 4am using buckets to get water out of the well where the egrass window is. to make our situation worse we had no power so we couldnt use the wet vac to get the water out of the apartment quickly finally at 430am we got power and my husband and father in law used the wet vac to get as much water as they can out we call a water damage restoration company to do the rest around 6am. at 630 we all went to sleep although my anxeity disorder kept me up had to go into my dogs bed and cuddle with her in order to sleep. we now have to move everything we just moved into the apartment out. me myself just finished moving all my stuff out of my parents house 3 days before this happened. no power plus no generater plus massive flooding is not a good or fun combo. i hope others who got flooded at least had power and could at least see wat was happening and try to stop it
Helen Haley 4 years ago
In a place as packed and built upward as nyc, how are they going to handle mold after this?
Jason Mills 3 years ago
Can't count how many hurricanes/floods I've been through. The key is engineering that works with nature, not against it.
Sergey Soldatenkov 4 years ago
true democracy is absolute equality - burn in fire, or drown in s**t ...
More Thinking Needed 4 years ago
If you live anywhere in America, and the name Bill De Blasio shows up on an election ballot, cast your vote for anyone or anything else. If a worn shoe is the only other choice, vote for the worn shoe.
Earl Grey 4 years ago
There was no such storm event as this when I lived in NYC decades ago. I doubt that a flash flood warning would have meant anything actionable to most residents, and I expect that a large percentage of people affected had no flood insurance. Insurance companies do not cover flooding under normal storm damage insurance. Here in Florida a resident would need to carry a special policy to cover flood damage.
Eunice Chantily 4 years ago
YEP. Ida was a bifch!! Sat over us for 6 hours as a cat 4 Hurricane. Welcome to the South.
AspieGirl88 4 years ago
I just heard about a baby & 2 parents who lost their lives because they got trapped inside their New York basement apartment ... can only imagine how terrified that poor baby was & how desperate the parents must’ve felt, knowing there was no hope of escaping. I’m sure there are more than one basement apartment rented out, though & I hope they at least had enough warning to get out of there safely. 😢💔👨👩👧
Sergio Serg 4 years ago
Am I the only one that remembers the ride in Universal Studios Florida Earthquake ?
Devil's Advocate 4 years ago
If I knew flooding was likely, I think I'd make sure I waterproofed the door even if I had to silicone it shut!
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