NYC floods live Nine dead as Storm Ida triggers state of emergency in New York and New Jersey

Passengers stand on seats as floodwater fills New York bus.mp4

At least nine people are feared dead after Storm Ida dumped record levels of rain in parts of New York and New Jersey, causing widespread flooding.

The governors of both states declared a state of emergency last night as the deluge overwhelmed streets and subway stations.

Nearly all New York City subway lines were suspended late and all non-emergency vehicles were banned from New York City's streets until Thursday due to the weather, city authorities said on Twitter.

“I am declaring a state of emergency to help New Yorkers affected by tonight’s storm,” New York governor Kathy Hochul said on Twitter.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio described the flooding and weather on Wednesday night as a “historic weather event”.

Show latest update 1630580295Storm Ida's heavy rain causes chaos at US Open match in New YorkStorm Ida's heavy rain causes chaos at US Open match in New YorkMatt Mathers2 September 2021 11:581630579474What emergency?

What should you do during a flooding crisis?

Some might make a dash for higher ground or attempt to stem the flow of water gushing into their homes.

But one man appears to have accepted the inevitable and taken it all in his stride:

Matt Mathers2 September 2021 11:441630578870Homes destroyed in floods

Hundreds, if not thousands of New Yorkers will wake up to sheer devastation this morning following the floods.

The video below, reportedly from Borough Park, Brooklyn, shows the scale of destruction faced by some.

The rain also disrupted flights at LaGuardia and JFK airports in New York and Jersey’s Newark airport, as well as bus and subway services.

Matt Mathers2 September 2021 11:341630577978NWS: Three inches of rain fell on Central Park in one hour

Three inches of rain fell on Central Park in one hour last night, the NWS said.

It far surpassed the 1.94 inches that fell on the park during Storm Henri in August, thought at the time to be the highest ever total recorded.

The deluge of rain across NYC brought most of the subway system to a standstill.

The video below shows one station inundated amid the floods.

Storm Ida floodwater rushes into New York subway stationMatt Mathers2 September 2021 11:191630577302Passengers stand on seats as water floods bus

Passengers were forced to stand on seats as rainwater flooded into a bus in New York.

A travel ban is in place until 5am ET for all non-emergency vehicles.

Passengers stand on seats as floodwater fills New York bus.Matt Mathers2 September 2021 11:081630576699Reports: Death toll rises to nine

The death toll from flooding in New York and New Jersey has risen to nine, reports say.

One person was killed as the flooding inundated the New Jersey city of Passaic, mayor Hector Lora told CNN.

NBC New York reported that one more person had died in New Jersey and seven had died in NYC, including a 2-year-old boy.

Local media reported that people had been trapped in their basements as the storm sent water surging through the city.

Lora said the body of a man in his seventies was retrieved from floodwaters.

The vehicle the man was riding in was swept away by the water and firefighters were swept under the vehicle, preventing them reaching him, CNN reported.

Matt Mathers2 September 2021 10:581630576035National Weather Service issues first ever flash flood warning for NYC

The National Weather Service has issued its first-ever flash flood warning for New York City.

Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are all covered by the warning, as is upstate New York.

It remains in place until 11.30am local time.

“This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!” the service says.

Matt Mathers2 September 2021 10:471630575524Roads in Brooklyn submerged by floodwater

Video posted to Twitter shows roads in Brooklyn completely submerged by floodwater.

Forecasters say up to a month’s worth of rain fell in parts of New York yesterday.

Downpours are expected to continue for several more hours.

Matt Mathers2 September 2021 10:381630574215

My colleague Chiara Giordano has more:

Matt Mathers2 September 2021 10:161630574050

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Storm Ida.

Six people are reported to have died in floods in New York and New Jersey, both of which have declared a state of emergency.

We’ll be bringing you more updates as the day progresses.

Matt Mathers2 September 2021 10:14

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