NYC Squall: Torrential Rain Claims Two Lives in Basements

Intense rainfall in New York City on Thursday led to tragic fatalities as two men lost their lives in flooded basements. The sudden squall caused severe flooding, with reports indicating that significant amounts of rain fell in a very short time.

Fatal Incidents from NYC Squall

The first incident occurred around 4 p.m. in Flatbush, Brooklyn. A 39-year-old man was found in a flooded basement on Kingston Avenue, near Rutland Road. He was removed by a fire department scuba team but later pronounced dead at Kings County Hospital.

Shortly after, in Washington Heights, another man, aged 43, was discovered unconscious in a flooded basement boiler room on West 175th Street, near Broadway. He too was later declared dead. According to sources, the man in Washington Heights was electrocuted while attempting to set up a pump to manage the rising water levels.

Rainfall and Weather Warnings

The weather forecast had anticipated between 1.5 and 2 inches of rain from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. However, the city experienced an unexpected downpour, with an inch of rain falling in just 10 minutes. By late afternoon, Central Park recorded a total rainfall of 1.8 inches, breaking historical records for October 30.

At approximately 4:16 p.m., the Office of Emergency Management issued a flash flood warning via social media. They advised residents to avoid driving or walking in flooded areas and to seek higher ground if in a basement.

Community Responses

At a political gala in Brooklyn that evening, Attorney General Letitia James addressed the tragic losses. She urged attendees to keep the victims’ families in their thoughts and prayers.

Councilmember Rita Joseph, who represents the Flatbush area, expressed her deep sorrow over the incidents. She emphasized the need for enhancing infrastructure to protect vulnerable neighborhoods from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

• Victims: 39-year-old and 43-year-old men.
• Locations: Kingston Avenue (Flatbush) and West 175th Street (Washington Heights).
• Rainfall: 1 inch in 10 minutes; 1.8 inches total recorded in Central Park.
• Warnings: Avoid flooded areas; seek higher ground.