A state of emergency has been declared in New York City as strong storms bring flash flooding.
Many of the city’s subway systems, streets and highways have flooded, while at least one terminal at LaGuardia Airport closed on Friday before later reopening.
Up to 8in (20cm) of rain fell in some parts of the city, but skies had calmed slightly by the evening.
“This is a dangerous, life-threatening storm,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.
“I am declaring a state of emergency across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall we’re seeing throughout the region,” Gov Hochul said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
She urged people to take steps to stay safe and “never attempt to travel on flooded roads”.
No deaths or critical injuries have been reported.
A state of emergency was also declared in the New Jersey town of Hoboken, just across the Hudson River from New York City.
In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams, warned people it was a time for “heightened alertness and extreme caution” as the state of emergency was put in place.
“Some of our subways are flooded and it is extremely difficult to move around the city,” he told a press briefing. On Friday evening, Mr. Adams told CBS, the BBC’s partner in the US, that there were 15 rescues from cars and three rescues from basement apartments.
Despite the rain easing later on Friday, Gov Hochul warned “we’re still in the throes of it”.
Source: bbc.com
