New York City faces major flooding as heavy rain inundates region

Flash flood warnings were issued across all New York City boroughs.

ByEmily Shapiro, Max Golembo, and Melissa Griffin
September 29, 2023, 5:30 PM

New York City is facing major flooding as heavy rain slams New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Flash flood warnings were issued on Friday in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Long Island.

Some of the most severe flooding is in Brooklyn, which has had more than 7 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

PHOTO: A woman walks through rain and flood waters in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Sept. 29, 2023.
A woman walks through rain and flood waters in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Sept. 29, 2023.
Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
PHOTO: A person walks away from his vehicle after it got stuck in high water on the Prospect Expressway during heavy rain and flooding on Sept. 29, 2023 in New York City.
A person walks away from his vehicle after it got stuck in high water on the Prospect Expressway during heavy rain and flooding on Sept. 29, 2023 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy have declared states of emergency.

The rainfall rate exceeded 2 inches per hour in Brooklyn Friday morning and rainfall rates could stay at 1 inch per hour through Friday evening.

PHOTO: A resident takes pictures of his flooded vehicle during a heavy rain storm in the New York City suburb of Mamaroneck in Westchester County, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2023.
A resident takes pictures of his flooded vehicle during a heavy rain storm in the New York City suburb of Mamaroneck in Westchester County, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2023.
Mike Segar/Reuters
PHOTO: People walk under umbrellas amid heavy rain on Sept. 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
People walk under umbrellas amid heavy rain on Sept. 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

"If you are home, stay home," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Friday. "We could possibly see 8 inches of rain before the day is over."

PHOTO: A person picks up a water pump in their flooded basement on E 10th Street amid a coastal storm on Sept. 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
A person picks up a water pump in their flooded basement on E 10th Street amid a coastal storm on Sept. 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Adams said Friday evening that there were no reported deaths or serious injuries. First responders rescued people from three basements and 15 apartments due to the flooding, he added.

PHOTO: Residents watch as workers attempt to clear a drain in flood waters, Sept. 29, 2023, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
Residents watch as workers attempt to clear a drain in flood waters, Sept. 29, 2023, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
Jake Offenhartz/AP

A travel advisory was issued in New York City.

The city's subways have "only extremely limited" service available, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber urged people to consider taking the bus.

"There are 3,500 buses out there. They are rolling. They are getting to their destinations," Lieber said during a Friday afternoon press briefing, noting that only 44 were stranded at some point during the day. "They are the lion's share of our mass transit right now."

One of the three Metro-North lines has been restored, Lieber said, while Amtrak told customers to prepare for train delays.

PHOTO: A person walks through floodwaters in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 29, 2023
A person walks through floodwaters in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 29, 2023
Gary Hershorn/ABC News
PHOTO: Cars in floodwater on the FDR highway in Manhattan, on Sept. 29, 2023.
Cars in floodwater on the FDR highway in Manhattan, on Sept. 29, 2023.
Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

New York City's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport are reporting major cancellations.

All flights to LaGuardia were put on hold Friday morning due to the heavy rain while JFK recorded 8.58 inches of rain, marking the airport's wettest day on record.

PHOTO: People walk through floodwaters in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 29, 2023
People walk through floodwaters in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 29, 2023
Gary Hershorn/ABC News
PHOTO: A vehicle sits submerged after it got stuck in high water on the Prospect Expressway during heavy rain and flooding on Sept. 29, 2023 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City.
A vehicle sits submerged after it got stuck in high water on the Prospect Expressway during heavy rain and flooding on Sept. 29, 2023 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

By Friday night, the rain in New York City will lighten up. Showers may continue Saturday morning, but the rain will move out of the Northeast by Saturday afternoon.

PHOTO: People walk through floodwaters in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 29, 2023.
People walk through floodwaters in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 29, 2023.
Gary Hershorn/ABC News
PHOTO: People walk in the rain in New York City., Sept. 29, 2023.
People walk in the rain in New York City., Sept. 29, 2023.
Andrew Kelly/Reuters

This month now marks New York City's rainiest September since 1882. New York City has seen more than 14 inches of rain this month; the city's average September rainfall is just 4.43 inches.

ABC News' Sam Sweeney and Jason Volack contributed to this report.

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