Some places were no-go zones yesterday as floods made walking and driving impossible.
America’s New York City was a no-go zone for some time yesterday, as floods filled virtually every open area.
The boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn were particularly affected. Vehicles could be seen submerged, while people trapped outside waded through deep water.
The floods followed a heavy downpour that fell in torrents amid thunderstorms, reaching 2 inches within minutes.
JFK Airport Affected by the Thunderous Downpour
JFK Airport and the surrounding areas were also affected by the heavy downpour. Consequently, there were a few disruptions at the busy airport.
For instance, some aircraft had to remain airborne a little longer than anticipated, sometimes for almost 15 minutes. The same delays sometimes affected travelers at the check-in gates.
LaGuardia Airport Closed
America’s LaGuardia Airport was even more severely affected. The airport was already dealing with a sinkhole that affected two of its runways when rain fell amid thunder.
The runways had become too dangerous for planes to use. Hence, the airport authority put up a big “X” emergency sign visible to pilots. The sign indicated that the runway was a no-go zone.
Furthermore, the airports canceled several flights, leaving some passengers frustrated. Some were in a rush to reach their destinations to celebrate Memorial Day.
In the US, Memorial Day is commemorated in May, specifically on the last Monday of the month. It is a day to celebrate those who died in military service. In the early days, this day was called “Decoration Day”.
Travelers at LaGuardia were caught by surprise the same way those at O’Hare International Airport were mid-last month. That time, heavy rainstorms hit Chicago, and in no time, the rain had reached the 2-inch mark.
Other Areas Affected by the Heavy Thunderstorms
New York was not the only place affected by the heavy thunderstorms. In Philadelphia, heavy storms felled trees and damaged houses. They also caused power outages.
The state of Texas also experienced heavy rainfall, including in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and Dallas.
The state of Georgia also received heavy rainfall, which caused flash floods in Atlanta. Louisiana is another state whose downpour was immense, reaching 2 inches within minutes.