Torrential rain brought major New York City thoroughfares to a brief halt on Sunday evening as flash flooding overtook parts of Queens and Staten Island.
Little more than five inches accumulated, and the storm subsided shortly before 10 p.m., freeing up traffic along area roadways that were closed for about two hours. Though weather advisories remain in effect until Monday morning, and sScattered showers were forecast for the first half of the coming week.
Those traveling into the city on Monday should not expect delays, Nancy Silvestri, a spokeswoman for the city’s Office of Emergency Management, said.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning just after 5 p.m., and up to four inches of rain was reported in the city shortly afterward.
The Long Island Expressway was closed to traffic in both directions in Fresh Meadows, Queens. By 8 p.m., the Utopia Parkway, the Cross Island Expressway and the Jackie Robinson Parkway were mired by standstill traffic for several miles because of flooding, city officials said. The police were helping to cordon off roadways and to retrieve stranded motorists.
Water rescues on Jackie Robinson Pkwy near the Kew Gardens Interchange. Cross Island Pkwy major flooding in northern Queens. @NYCFireWire
— Long Island Weather (@liweatherman) May 31, 2015Traffic Alert. Cypress Avenue and Vermont Place closed due to vehicle in sinkhole. pic.twitter.com/harqTPu0Rt
— NYPD 104th Precinct (@NYPD104Pct) June 1, 2015
10 comments:
This is what happens when capital monies are diverted to new development along the waterfront for people that do not even live here yet!
This flooding problem goes back decades in Queens initially the result of poor planning.
You need to ask your councilman repeatedly (they need things thrown at them repeatedly for it to register so you will have to be patient - don't forget you elected them) as to why your taxes are going to enrich a developer while your community's services remain unmet for decade after decade.
Don't get discouraged by their dodging. Just look at it as a real time reality show, you are Donald Trump, and enjoy them squirming.
How about identifying the areas that habitually flood and clearing the drains of debris and, if that is not sufficient, adding additional drains. Queens is full of roads well above ground level that flood unnaturally.
Aside from any inconvenience, I love it when Batures shows its power. It makes the ersatz power of politicians look microscopic.
Go on, Coucioman Vallone, pass some legislation stopping heavy rainfall. LOL!
Places like Laurelton, Fresh Meadows always flood. A lot of parkways are below grade.
Water will seek its own level fed by the laws of gravity.
Paving over green spaces takes away the sponges that absorb water.
I'm glad I live two blocks from the highest elevation in Queens.
I looked at the topological and zoning maps before I bought. Buyer beware. Live in a flood plain and you'd better have some good federal flood insurance.
Yep...living close to the water's edge is very picturesque until it winds up filling up your basement.
PU! Then there is all that backed up raw sewage! Ugghh to pump out!!
LOL! Did Melinda Katz's basement get flooded like it has been in the past?
She's now the beep. The last time it happened it was reported that she was ankle deep in shit.
One good thing about the heavy rains...they grounds most airlines, giving us a respite from the intolerable plane noises.
"The Utopia Parkway"?????
The New York Times will never understand The Queens.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
LOL! Did Melinda Katz's basement get flooded like it has been in the past?
She's now the beep. The last time it happened it was reported that she was ankle deep in shit.
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But isn't that Katz' natural state, deep in shit.
The first World Fair expanded the Flushing River to bring stuff in by boat. But the second World Fair buried the Flushing river to bring things in by truck. That burying is largely responsible for the lack of flow causing the stink in Flushing Bay and the flooding in nearby areas.
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