Two Killed as Record Rainfall Floods New York City

Two men died in New York City after heavy rain caused severe flooding across the city, submerging streets and basements. A 39-year-old man in Brooklyn and a 43-year-old man in Manhattan were found dead in flooded basement areas. The storm brought record rainfall, disrupted travel, and reignited concerns over basement apartment safety.

Two people lost their lives in New York City on Thursday after intense rainfall caused widespread flooding that submerged streets, disrupted transportation, and filled basements with water, authorities confirmed. The powerful storm, which swept through the city throughout the day, led to record-breaking rainfall and renewed concerns about the dangers of flooding in basement apartments.

In Brooklyn, firefighters responded to a distress call around 4:30 p.m. after reports that a person was trapped in the flooded basement of a townhouse. Emergency crews, including a scuba team, entered the flooded building and later recovered the body of a 39-year-old man. A video posted online showed firefighters carrying the victim through calf-deep water on the street, underscoring the speed and severity of the flooding.

In a separate incident in Manhattan, a 43-year-old man was found dead inside the flooded boiler room of an apartment building. Authorities said the cause of death was under investigation, and officials have not yet released the names of the victims as they work to notify their families.

The National Weather Service reported that parts of the city saw rainfall amounts that broke historical records. Preliminary data indicated that 1.8 inches (4.57 centimeters) of rain fell in Central Park on Thursday, surpassing the previous record of 1.64 inches (4.17 centimeters) set in 1917. At LaGuardia Airport, 1.97 inches (5 centimeters) of rain were recorded, exceeding the 1955 record of 1.18 inches (3 centimeters). The heavy rain caused delays at airports and made driving treacherous across multiple boroughs.

Throughout the day, rainfall varied in intensity but remained persistent, leading to waterlogged streets and overwhelmed drainage systems. Images and videos shared on social media showed vehicles partially submerged, with water rising to their bumpers, and torrents of rainwater gushing into subway stations. New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the situation in an interview with local radio station 1010 WINS, saying, “When you look at the amount of water that was coming down, our sewer systems are just not built to handle that. It was a steady rain, throughout.” His comments reflected the broader challenge the city faces in managing extreme weather events intensified by climate change.

Flooding was not uniform across the city. In some neighborhoods, clogged drains turned intersections into large pools deep enough to float cars, while nearby blocks had only minor puddles. The storm also caused tree limbs to fall in several areas, damaging parked vehicles but causing no additional reported injuries.

The deaths have reignited concern over the risks faced by residents living in basement apartments, a common but often unsafe housing option in New York City’s overcrowded rental market. The dangers of such dwellings became tragically clear in 2021, when remnants of Hurricane Ida brought record rainfall and flash floods that killed 11 people living in basement units. Thursday’s events served as a stark reminder that, despite previous tragedies, many of the same vulnerabilities persist.

As city officials continue investigating the storm’s impact, they have urged residents to avoid flooded areas, stay alert for warnings, and seek higher ground when heavy rainfall is forecast. The two deaths mark yet another instance of how extreme weather continues to test the city’s infrastructure and emergency preparedness, leaving residents and officials grappling with how to better protect vulnerable communities from future storms.