UPDATE: NYC rain breakdown: Totals from Friday’s deluge vary wildly across the city >>
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Residents of Staten Island were left reeling from the onslaught of severe rainfall that caused widespread flooding, left Friday’s commute in shambles, and had homeowners struggling in flooded homes.
Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in New York City Friday afternoon, with the governor calling the storm a “life-threatening rainfall event.”
The torrential rainfall resulted in numerous delays and disruptions within the transit system. One worker from Ferris Wheel Yogurt Smoothie and Cafe in the St. George Ferry Terminal said his commute was made more difficult by overcrowded buses.
Rosebank resident Christopher Procaccio works in Manhattan. “As far as this morning goes, there was a lot of water on the drive to the ferry, and the 1 train was running alright,’' he said. “From what I heard from my coworkers, though, a lot of their trains were flooded and they can’t get home. Especially one guy who lives in Williamsburg. The L train was flooded out and he’s going to have to Uber home — not cheap.”
The array of delays did not stop most commuters, including David G., a Manhattan resident who teaches at the College of Staten Island.
“I left my house at around 7:10 in the morning, I take the buses, I got to campus about 11,’' he said. “Usually it’s like an hour and a half, and I do the fast ferry, but it took a very long time.”
Aside from the impact on the commute, the weather threat also impacted schools across the five boroughs. All outdoor after-school activities in New York City public schools were canceled, and parents were warned to expect bus delays as road conditions were far less than ideal.
Areas of the East Shore of Staten Island experienced severe flooding, resulting in road closures and property damage. In South Beach, one road resembled a river, and vehicles were overwhelmed by water levels on Doty Ave. Flood levels submerged tires as water made its way into the garages and basements of many homes. Homeowners could be seen pumping into the street in an effort to rid their property of the unwelcome water.
Over in Midland Beach, an infamous intersection overflowed once again. The corner of Grimsby Street and Mapleton Avenue is a constant victim of flooding; regularly leaving homeowners with water levels that creep onto the sidewalk. Anthony Colon, a resident of the intersection, told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com that the intersection has been flooding for at least 30 years.
“This morning there were two cars stuck here, tow truck had to come and pull them out,” Colon said. “My next door neighbor’s garage got flooded up. It’s crazy. It’s very bad.”
Colon blamed the bowl-like shape of the street.
“The water comes down and it stays here,’' he said. “All the other ones are already draining out. It was crazy this morning.”
Pooling could also be seen in other areas of Staten Island, such as Travis Avenue, which was closed due to water levels.
“This morning’s rain reminded me that the city funds projects which buy votes, but does not build out and improve the infrastructure or needed improvements to basic services, which every New Yorker depends on,” Vin Browne, a Todt Hill resident, said.
The effects could be felt across all areas of the Island, with homes across the borough flooding as a result of the ceaseless rainfall. Staten Island Advance/SILive.com reporter Maura Grunland was one of the many Islanders whose home took a hit from the storm.
“I live in a house on a hill in Great Kills and my basement only floods after it rains for days, as has happened lately,” Grunland said. “I live in an old house with an unfinished basement and the water leaks through minuscule cracks in the cement floor and brick foundation. The good thing about having an unfinished basement is that nothing of value is damaged, and a flood is a good excuse to clean and declutter the space.”
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