Dozens dead in 'historic' New York area flash floods

Rains from the remnants of Hurricane Ida triggered flash floods, killing scores in four northeastern states in the U.S.

Dozens of people have died in flooding in New York and New Jersey.

At least 41 people have died in four northeastern U.S. states as flash flooding caused by torrential rains from the remnants of Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc overnight into September 2, officials said. Several people are reported to have died in their basements during the "historic" weather catastrophe that officials blamed on climate change.

"We're all in this together. The nation is ready to help," said President Joe Biden, ahead of a trip on September 3 to the southern state of Louisiana, where Ida earlier caused massive destruction and left more than a million homes without power.

Unprecedented flood warning in New York

The remnants of Hurricane Ida unleashed record rainfall triggering the first-ever flood emergency warning for New York City. Several roads turned into river-like torrents while New York subway lines were submerged. People across large parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania dealt with waterlogged basements, damaged roofs and power outages.

At least 23 people died in the state of New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy said. The toll included four people who died at a public housing complex in Elizabeth that was flooded by 2.4 meters of water.

New York City reported 12 deaths, including 11 people who could not escape their basements. Those who perished ranged in ages from 2 to 86. "We're enduring an historic weather event tonight with record-breaking rain across the city, brutal flooding and dangerous conditions on our roads," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said late on September 1.

Lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that people living in "off-the-books basement dwellings that don't meet the safety codes necessary to save lives" were the most vulnerable during the flash floods. "These are working-class, immigrant, and low-income people and families," she said.

State emergencies were declared in New York and New Jersey as the National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents to move to higher ground. "You do not know how deep the water is and it is too dangerous," the New York branch of the NWS said.

dvv/jsi (AFP, Reuters)