2 people found dead in flooded New York City basements after torrential rain
Two men were killed Thursday in separate incidents after torrential rainfall flooded parts of New York City, submerging basements, shutting down major roadways, and delaying flights across area airports. Emergency crews worked through the afternoon to rescue trapped residents as rising water overwhelmed drainage systems and submerged vehicles.
In Brooklyn, firefighters responding to a 4:30 p.m. call found a 39-year-old man trapped in the basement of a three-story townhouse. A scuba team recovered his body as floodwaters filled the lower level. Witnesses captured video of firefighters carrying the victim through knee-deep water in the street. In Manhattan, a 43-year-old man was found dead in a flooded basement boiler room of an apartment building, authorities said. His cause of death remains under investigation.
The storm brought record-breaking rainfall to parts of the city. Preliminary totals showed 1.8 inches fell in Central Park, surpassing a 1917 record, while LaGuardia Airport recorded 1.97 inches, breaking a 1955 record. The rain fell for hours, creating treacherous conditions for drivers and commuters as water gushed into subway stations and pooled along intersections. Mayor Eric Adams said the city’s sewer systems were not built to handle the steady, unrelenting downpour.
Street flooding varied by neighborhood—some blocks saw water high enough to float cars, while others experienced only minor pooling. In addition to flooding, falling tree branches damaged vehicles in several areas. Officials did not release the names of the victims, though neighbors said the Brooklyn man had entered his basement in an attempt to rescue his dog. The tragedy renewed concerns about the dangers of living in basement apartments, an issue brought into sharp focus in 2021 when heavy flooding killed 11 people in similar dwellings.
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