Two Men Found Dead in Flooded NYC Basements After Powerful Storms Slam the City
NEW YORK CITY, NY — A powerful rainstorm that swept across New York City on Thursday left two men dead after their basement apartments flooded during the sudden deluge, police confirmed late Thursday evening.
Authorities said the victims were discovered in separate incidents — one in Queens and another in Brooklyn — as torrential rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems and caused widespread flooding throughout the city.
Emergency crews from the New York Police Department and FDNY responded to numerous calls for help from residents trapped in low-lying areas as water levels rose rapidly. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Streets Turn Into Rivers as Flash Flooding Hits Hard
The National Weather Service reported that several neighborhoods received more than three inches of rain within a matter of hours, triggering flash floods that turned streets into rivers and submerged vehicles.
Footage circulating on social media showed residents wading through waist-deep water in Brooklyn, with basement doors and windows completely submerged. Public transit also took a hit, with subway lines temporarily shut down due to water on the tracks.
“This storm hit faster than most people could react,” said FDNY Deputy Chief Paul Lynch, who noted that rescue crews were forced to use inflatable boats to reach residents trapped underground. “Basements are especially dangerous during flash flooding because the water has nowhere to go.”
Renewed Warnings on Basement Apartment Safety
City officials once again warned about the risks of living in unregulated basement units — a recurring issue that has turned deadly in past storms. Following the Hurricane Ida flooding in 2021, the city identified thousands of such units as unsafe during severe weather.
“When a downpour like this hits, people in basement units have only minutes to escape,” said a spokesperson from NYC Emergency Management. “We urge everyone to take flood warnings seriously and seek higher ground immediately.”
The names of the victims have not yet been released as officials continue notifying their families.
More Rain Expected Into the Weekend
Forecasters warn that the same weather system could bring additional rainfall through Saturday, heightening the risk of new flash floods in the region.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid driving through standing water, check on neighbors in vulnerable housing, and stay tuned for further emergency alerts.
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