By Manisha Sahu | America News World
Published: November 1, 2025
A sudden, record-breaking downpour on Thursday left parts of New York City underwater, causing flash floods that claimed the lives of two men trapped in basements in Brooklyn and Manhattan. The torrential rains, which arrived faster and stronger than predicted, overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems, turning streets into rivers and halting transportation across the metropolitan area.
According to the New York Police Department, the first victim, a 39-year-old man from Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood, became trapped after he re-entered his basement to rescue his dog. A diver from the Fire Department pulled him out, but despite being rushed to Kings County Hospital, he did not survive. Neighbors said the man had already saved one of his dogs before returning for the other, a tragic act of devotion that cost him his life. Officials have not yet confirmed whether flooding directly caused his death.
In Washington Heights, Manhattan, a 43-year-old man was discovered lifeless in a flooded boiler room of a basement building. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities withheld the names of both victims pending notification of their families.
Record Rainfall in Just 20 Minutes
Meteorologists had forecast steady rain over an eight-hour period, but instead, the storm struck with full force in just 20 minutes, beginning around 3:50 p.m. “It was one of those sudden, intense bursts that the city just couldn’t handle,” said Aries Dela Cruz, spokesperson for New York City’s Emergency Management Agency.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that between one and three inches of rain fell across the tri-state area, breaking daily rainfall records at three major locations:
LaGuardia Airport: Over 2 inches
Newark Liberty International Airport: 1.9 inches
Central Park: 1.8 inches
The rapid deluge quickly overwhelmed sewers, many of which were already clogged with leaves and debris after weeks of dry weather. The combination of drought and sudden rainfall created ideal conditions for flash flooding, with several neighborhoods experiencing up to two feet of standing water.
Neighborhoods Submerged, Transportation Paralyzed
The worst flooding occurred between 3 and 5 p.m., hitting Flatbush and Hollis, Queens, both previously devastated by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. According to FloodNet, which operates over 250 flood sensors across New York City, floodwaters in these areas reached dangerous depths, submerging vehicles and trapping residents indoors.
Other severely affected neighborhoods included Bushwick, Brooklyn, and East Flushing, Queens, where several streets were impassable. Cars floated down roads, and emergency responders were seen rescuing trapped drivers.
A Fire Department spokesperson said several cars were stranded in rising waters, while flooding forced the Long Island Expressway to close in both directions at Springfield Boulevard in Queens. Numerous trees were also reported down across the city.
Public transportation was severely disrupted. Subway lines faced delays due to water intrusion, and the Long Island Rail Road experienced service interruptions. NJ Transit trains were delayed up to 30 minutes, while Amtrak briefly suspended service near Newark Airport before resuming with residual delays throughout the Northeast Corridor.
Scenes of Chaos and Courage
In Brooklyn, neighbors and business owners recounted moments of panic as floodwaters surged. Renée Phillips, who lived next to the man who died in Flatbush, described the day as “horrific.” “He went back to save his dog,” she said tearfully. “He didn’t make it out. It all happened so fast.”
Elsewhere, small business owners battled to protect their properties. Kelly Hayes, co-owner of Gowanus Gardens restaurant, said she had developed a flood routine after years of dealing with heavy rain. She closely monitored flood sensors near Prospect Park and, within minutes of seeing the readings spike, watched water cascade down Fourth Avenue. “It poured straight into our basement,” Hayes said. “We ended up with a slimy layer everywhere—it’s disgusting.”
In Bedford-Stuyvesant, resident Andy Franklin described a harrowing experience when flash floods trapped his daughter inside a hair salon. “I had gone to get more pink hair for her braids,” he said. “When I came back, cars were floating, and the salon’s security gate was closed. I just wanted my daughter out.” Workers eventually opened the door once the water receded, and everyone escaped safely.
Across the street, Leandro Fernandez, manager of Alejandro Deli Grocery, said his employees fought the flooding with broom handles, trying to unclog storm drains. One worker, Peter Putter, stood knee-deep in water for nearly two hours, clearing a drain by hand. By 8 p.m., police and city sanitation crews arrived to remove debris from the drains.
Flooding Beyond New York City
The storm didn’t spare neighboring areas. In Bayonne, New Jersey, emergency responders rescued motorists trapped in submerged underpasses. One video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showed a firefighter wading through waist-deep water to rescue a 4-year-old girl from a stranded SUV under an overpass. Her mother was also safely pulled to dry ground.
City officials said more than 1,500 residents lost power during the storm. Airports across the region reported significant flight delays due to low visibility and lightning.
Although the rain moved out by Thursday night, the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory through Friday evening, with gusts expected to reach 50 mph, raising new concerns about falling branches and additional hazards for cleanup crews.
Climate Change and Urban Flooding
Experts say Thursday’s tragedy is another reminder of how climate change is intensifying extreme weather in urban areas. Warmer air holds more moisture, increasing the likelihood of sudden, heavy downpours that overwhelm city infrastructure.
“This kind of flash flooding used to be rare, but now it’s happening more frequently,” said meteorologist Dominic Ramunni of the NWS. “Cities like New York must adapt faster—our drainage systems were built for a different climate.”
A City on Edge
By nightfall, as the waters slowly receded, New Yorkers began the difficult task of cleanup—pumping water from basements, clearing debris, and mourning lives lost.
“This storm shows how vulnerable we are,” said Renée Phillips, standing outside her neighbor’s flooded home in Flatbush. “He died trying to save something he loved. That’s the kind of city we are—resilient, but heartbroken.”