Tragedy struck during Thursday's storm in New York City as torrential downpour overwhelmed basements and led to two tragic deaths. A 39-year-old man lost his life while attempting to rescue a dog from a flooded basement on Kingston Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Meanwhile, another victim, a 43-year-old man, died in the boiler room of a building on West 175th Street in Washington Heights, Manhattan, as he tried to make repairs.
According to authorities, both men were attempting to save their properties from flood damage when disaster struck. The New York City Police Department confirmed that neither building was located in areas prone to flooding, contradicting previous reports that they had minimal flood hazard zones. Instead, officials pointed to a combination of factors, including clogged storm drains caused by fall foliage.
The storm brought nearly three inches of rain in just two hours, with the heaviest downpour occurring between 3 pm and 5 pm. The National Weather Service attributed the rainfall totals as being well within forecasted amounts but noted that it happened more quickly than anticipated.
Experts warn that the city's sewer system was not designed to handle such intense rain, particularly in areas like Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and uptown Manhattan, which were hardest hit by the storm. In fact, the system is only equipped to handle 1.75 inches of rain per hour, a significant disparity from Hurricane Ida, which dropped over three inches within an hour in 2021.
Ironically, the tragic events highlight the need for increased safety measures, particularly in flood-prone areas. The city has recently launched an online application to legalize basement apartments, which will come with new safety regulations, including at least two exits and a sprinkler system. However, it remains to be seen whether this initiative can prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As authorities continue to investigate the cause of these deaths, officials urge residents to take necessary precautions during severe weather events and to prioritize their safety above all else.
According to authorities, both men were attempting to save their properties from flood damage when disaster struck. The New York City Police Department confirmed that neither building was located in areas prone to flooding, contradicting previous reports that they had minimal flood hazard zones. Instead, officials pointed to a combination of factors, including clogged storm drains caused by fall foliage.
The storm brought nearly three inches of rain in just two hours, with the heaviest downpour occurring between 3 pm and 5 pm. The National Weather Service attributed the rainfall totals as being well within forecasted amounts but noted that it happened more quickly than anticipated.
Experts warn that the city's sewer system was not designed to handle such intense rain, particularly in areas like Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and uptown Manhattan, which were hardest hit by the storm. In fact, the system is only equipped to handle 1.75 inches of rain per hour, a significant disparity from Hurricane Ida, which dropped over three inches within an hour in 2021.
Ironically, the tragic events highlight the need for increased safety measures, particularly in flood-prone areas. The city has recently launched an online application to legalize basement apartments, which will come with new safety regulations, including at least two exits and a sprinkler system. However, it remains to be seen whether this initiative can prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As authorities continue to investigate the cause of these deaths, officials urge residents to take necessary precautions during severe weather events and to prioritize their safety above all else.
just thinking about those two guys trying to save their homes from flood damage makes me think about how important it is to respect our limits and not take unnecessary risks. we can't control nature, but we can prepare for its fury. these tragedies are a reminder that even with the best planning and precautions, accidents can still happen. so let's all take this as a chance to reflect on our own risk-taking habits and make sure we're being responsible stewards of ourselves and others 
just saw that crazy storm in NYC 
️ and I'm still trying to process it... so sad to hear about those two guys who lost their lives trying to save their properties from flood damage 
. I mean, you can't blame them for wanting to take action, but clearly the city's infrastructure is not equipped to handle extreme weather events 
.
wasn't there a flood warning or something? 
it's just crazy that these guys were in their basements during the storm and didn't have the best chance of survival 
. that online app for basement apartments is a game-changer 
. let's hope it leads to some real change and fewer tragedies like this one 
.
️
stormy situation... i dont think its a good idea for ppl to venture out into flooded areas unless they really have to. like, 1.75 inches of rain per hour is a lot, especially if u live in a area that cant handle it. and those basement apartments being legalized? sounds like its just gonna lead to more people trying to save their properties instead of evacuating when needed. 
. And don't even get me started on that whole sewer system thing - 1.75 inches of rain per hour? That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me! 
they say the city's sewer system is outdated and needs a major overhaul... it's crazy how fast it can flood, like what happened in Hurricane Ida back in 2021 
they were trying to save their properties but it all went wrong 
1.75 inches of rain per hour is just crazy! i mean, i've seen flooded sidewalks before but it sounds like it was way worse than that. anyway, hope they're doing okay and that the city takes those safety measures seriously 
hopefully it can prevent something like this from happening again 
. and omg, a 1.75 inch hour limit is crazy low 
...anyway, gotta give props to the city for launching that online app for basement apartments with safety regulations, maybe it'll help prevent more accidents 
2 guys lost their lives trying to save their homes and I can only imagine how scary that must've been for them and their families 
at least they're trying to do something about it now