New York City Floods Overview
New York City was drowning in a deluge of rain on Friday, leading to significant disruptions across the city. The sustained rainfall, which had already impacted the area for days, intensified, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for Brooklyn and Queens. These warnings encompassed two of New York’s major airports. Notably, Friday marked the wettest September day on record, with over 6 inches of rain recorded since midnight, surpassing previous records from Hurricane Donna in 1960, as reported by the NWS.
Airport Closures and Delays
By Friday afternoon, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) had closed Terminal A “until further notice” and advised all ticketed passengers to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport. Terminal A is primarily used by Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, according to reports.
Throughout the day, John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) also experienced severe disruptions, while both airports faced ground stops. Video footage revealed a thick layer of water covering airport floors, complicating travel for many passengers, as noted by NBC New York.
Despite remaining operational, JFK reported significant flight disruptions due to weather conditions. Travelers were warned to check with their airlines regarding flight status. Average delays at JFK exceeded three hours, as indicated by the FAA.
Overall, on that day, over 3,700 flights were delayed within, into, or out of the United States, with more than 490 cancellations recorded, according to FlightAware. Southwest Airlines alone delayed over 900 flights, while LaGuardia accounted for the highest number of cancellations at over 140, closely followed by JFK, which canceled more than 70 outbound flights.
Impact on Public Transportation
Additionally, New York’s public transportation was severely impacted as heavy rainfall and flooding disrupted service on both the subway system and the Metro-North railroad, which serves areas north of the city. The MTA stated that service was “severely disrupted” and urged residents to stay home if possible. They recommended taking precautions and checking service status before traveling.
