New York City declared a state of emergency as it braces for a deluge of up to seven inches of rain. The city’s infrastructure is being tested to its limits as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia continue to wreak havoc on the East Coast.

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a stern warning to all residents, urging them to exercise extreme caution and avoid flooded roads. The rainfall, which already reached a rate of one to two inches per hour, significantly disrupted the morning commutes of millions of New Yorkers.

Social media platforms are awash with footage of the chaotic scenes across the city, including shocking videos of flooded subway stations and buses.

Brooklyn and Queens have been particularly hard hit by the storm. John F. Kennedy Airport in New York recorded over three inches of rain since midnight, leading to the closure of Terminal A at LaGuardia due to weather conditions.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been working tirelessly to manage the situation, with workers checking storm drains and making necessary repairs throughout the storm.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “This is a serious storm, and we’re taking it seriously.” He further explained despite their best efforts, water in the subway system was inevitable.

However, he assured residents that the system is designed to handle such situations and pump out water in large quantities.

The downpours, caused by the remains of Tropical Storm Ophelia, have led to flooding in certain areas of NYC and nearby regions that are still saturated from last weekend’s storm.

The storm, which was near-hurricane strength when it made landfall near Emerald Isle in North Carolina on September 24, knocked out power and flooded coastal streets. States of emergency were declared last week in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland.

The heavy rainfall is expected to continue into Saturday, soaking the tri-state area. The National Weather Service has described the situation as dangerous and life-threatening, extending a flood watch from 2 a.m. on Friday through the night.

Areas from Central New Jersey to Manhattan, Long Island, Southern Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley are forecast to see the most rainfall.

The potential flood threat is particularly concerning for cities like New York, given the tragic events of Hurricane Ida in 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including a two-year-old boy, in their basement apartments.