Vehicles Deserted on Flooded Highways as States Desperately Attempt to Clear Up After Ida

The northeast was pummeled by heavy rains, resulting in energy outages, flash floods and main impacts to transportation techniques. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut grappled with the results of the storm from Wednesday and are working to revive all types of highway entry.

© ED JONES/Getty Photos
Main highways and smaller roads had been pressured to shut within the tri-state space because of the flooding brought on by Tropical Storm Ida.

New York’s downstate counties had been positioned beneath a state of emergency in response to the storm.

Roadways within the area had been closely impacted by flooding, and CBS New York reported that exits on the Lengthy Island Expressway had been shut down and automobiles had been left deserted on the aspect of the highway.

“A number of roadways throughout New York Metropolis, Lengthy Island and the decrease Mid-Hudson had been flooded and impassible at instances, with individuals rescued from autos trapped in floodwaters,” a press launch from New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s workplace learn.

Many roads are closed within the Hudson Valley, with further closures in NYC and Lengthy Island because of the storm. Verify #511NY earlier than touring for the most recent info. pic.twitter.com/9lTvwmJwPB

— NYSDOT (@NYSDOT) September 2, 2021

To assist the counties most affected, Hochul mentioned she directed state companies skilled in emergency response to offer help.

The New York Police Division notified drivers to present themselves further time to get to their locations due to the continued highway cleanup. Drivers who left a disabled automotive on the freeway or on a New York Metropolis road due to the flooding had been instructed to contact NYC311 to study the place the automotive was relocated.

New Jersey’s highway system confronted comparable challenges and its Division of Transportation urged individuals to remain dwelling. Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency throughout the complete state of New Jersey.

“Many roads stay closed this morning,” the division tweeted at 6:24 a.m. “NJDOT Crews and emergency personnel have been working by means of the evening, and can proceed to take action, to get roads clear and open. Please keep off the roads to allow them to do their job safely.”

Murphy tweeted he met with emergency administration officers to debate storm response and restoration to revive energy to those that misplaced it.

In Connecticut, the state’s Division of Transportation Press Officer Kevin Nursick instructed Newsweek the key highways had been closed on the top of the rain, however have since reopened and open to drivers.

“There have been some points, however they cleared up after the rain subsided,” Nursick mentioned.

He mentioned there is not a lot {that a} state can do to organize for climate to this diploma, however taking small steps, like making certain the drainage infrastructure is obvious, is useful.

“To some extent, with main climate occasions, you might be on the mercy of Mom Nature,” he mentioned. “There are proactive measures, we attempt to carry out them earlier than a serious climate occasion is available in. We do be sure our drainage infrastructures are clear in order that when a serious rain occasion is available in, the rain has someplace to go.”

When Newsweek spoke with Nursick, he mentioned there have been 27 residual highway closures throughout the state. These roads are secondary state routes that could be single-lane roads. Nursick mentioned along with the flooding, a handful of roads had been closed due to downed timber and wires.

And, whereas Nursick mentioned there wasn’t main harm reported in Connecticut, he mentioned crews are persevering with to answer the harm that the storm left behind.

Water is receding in lots of areas and we’re responding to break brought on by Ida on state roads, culverts, and bridges. Please use warning ⚠️ in impacted areas and pay attention to indicators for highway closures and crews at work – like those right here on Route 63 in Watertown: pic.twitter.com/K2giuIyhjb

— Connecticut Division of Transportation (@CTDOTOfficial) September 2, 2021

“It wasn’t a stroll within the park, it wasn’t good and we’re nonetheless going to take care of some points on the secondaries, however the highways actually made it out, for essentially the most half, with minimal influence,” Nursick mentioned.

Newsweek reached out to the New Jersey Division of Transportation however didn’t hear again by press time.

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