Flash Floods Hit Long Island, Closing Highways and Disrupting Commutes

Flash Floods Slam Long Island, Disrupting Commutes and Forcing Rescues

Powerful thunderstorms unleashed torrential rain and flash flooding across Long Island early Monday, causing chaos on roads, forcing evacuations, and prompting multiple rescues. The National Weather Service issued a rare flash flood emergency during the storm's peak, describing the situation as "particularly dangerous."

The same storm system dumped nearly 10 inches of rain on parts of Connecticut on Sunday, causing rivers to overflow and leading to another flash flood emergency declaration and evacuations. Even New York City wasn't spared, experiencing disruptions to train services and flight cancellations.

The impact of the flooding:

• Road closures: A portion of the Long Island Expressway, a major artery connecting Long Island to New York City, was briefly closed in both directions near Dix Hills. Other affected roads include New York State Route 25 and the Bronx River Parkway.
• Train disruptions: Metro-North train services on the Danbury and Waterbury branches of the New Haven line were suspended due to flooding and a mudslide.
• Rescues: Suffolk County Police received numerous calls from drivers stranded in floodwaters and residents with flooded basements and first floors. The agency reported no injuries.

The storm's aftermath:

While the rain stopped by early Monday, the lingering effects of the flooding continued to disrupt the morning commute. Officials urged drivers to be cautious as residual flooding persisted, particularly in northern parts of Long Island.

Beyond Long Island:

Connecticut was also severely impacted, with over 100 people being evacuated due to severe flooding. One dramatic rescue involved a man swimming to a submerged car and rescuing the driver, his prosthetic leg, and his golden retriever.

This event highlights the increasing threat of extreme weather events and the need for preparedness.