Heavy rain hits New York, recording ‘wettest day’ in March

New York recorded its “wettest day” in March on Saturday as a severe coastal storm battered major parts of the city and areas of Long Island and New Jersey, causing widespread flooding, flight delays and cancellations, and major roadway be submerged. .

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has issued a warning about waterlogged roads in Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn in New York City.

More than 3.6 inches of rain fell in the city’s Central Park on Saturday, and more than 3 inches fell in parts of Manhattan in about six hours.

this new york post According to reports, this month was also the sixth wettest March on record, with 8.24 inches of rainfall.

As of Saturday evening, 419 flights in and out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport were delayed, and more than 236 flights were delayed at New Jersey’s Newark Airport, according to flight tracking company FlightAware. Fox 5 New York TV station.

At least 167 flights were delayed at the city’s LaGuardia Airport.

Meanwhile, Newark and LaGuardia canceled 21 flights each, while JFK canceled 23 flights.

The New York Police Department issued a warning about “stagnant water on roadways.”

It urges people to avoid unnecessary travel and, if driving, to “be aware of puddles and potentially flooded lanes. Watch for pedestrians and give way”.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said in a tweet on Saturday that police responded to reports of submerged vehicles and the FDNY also responded to the emergency response. reaction.

He said that although the department’s “aviation division is currently closed, our drones are still operational.”

The deputy commissioner said a man and a woman were rescued from a trapped vehicle at the scene, while another man was also rescued from another vehicle at the scene.

He also posted a video of a submerged vehicle, with fire department officials in the background.

The National Weather Service said heavy rains have threatened flooding in rivers in northeastern New Jersey and southern Connecticut, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of the risk of flash flooding along the coast of Long Island and New Jersey.

Meanwhile, a severe coastal storm is expected to move off the U.S. East Coast on Sunday.

In addition to the rain, New York City is expected to receive up to 1 to 2 inches of snow and ice accumulation, leading to frigid weather, according to reports. NBC 4 New York TV station.

But temperatures are likely to rise next week, with mostly sunny skies.