Two people have died in separate flooding incidents in Manhattan and Brooklyn after torrential rain swept through the city on Thursday, shutting down major roads, delaying flights, and overwhelming drainage systems across the five boroughs.
Authorities said a 39-year-old man was found dead in the basement of a three-story townhouse in Flatbush, Brooklyn, around 4:30 p.m. Firefighters and a scuba rescue team responded after receiving reports of a person trapped in rising water.
According to neighbors, the man had been attempting to rescue one of his dogs when he became trapped by the fast-moving floodwaters. His body was recovered later that afternoon.
In Washington Heights, Manhattan, a 43-year-old man was discovered dead inside the flooded boiler room of an apartment building. Police said the cause of death is still under investigation, though they believe he may have been electrocuted during the flooding.
The severe storm dumped several inches of rain in just a few hours, submerging cars, stalling buses, and closing sections of the FDR Drive, Major Deegan Expressway, and parts of LaGuardia Airport, where flights were temporarily suspended.
City officials urged residents to avoid basements and low-lying areas during flooding events and to report hazardous conditions immediately.
“Our first responders are doing everything possible to assist those affected,” a city spokesperson said. “These tragic deaths remind us how dangerous flash flooding can be.”
The New York City Office of Emergency Management continues to assess damage and monitor weather conditions as cleanup efforts begin.