[Video below.] Torrential rain and powerful thunderstorms battered Brooklyn on Thursday evening, flooding streets and sending water pouring into basements, businesses and other low-lying locations, including the main bais medrash at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights.
Photos and videos from the 770 building showed substantial flooding inside the Main Shul after the intense downpour overwhelmed drainage in and around the heavily trafficked synagogue.
As conditions rapidly deteriorated, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Brooklyn and Manhattan shortly before 5:40 p.m. The warning was scheduled to remain in effect through 7:45 p.m., while additional flood warnings were posted for other sections of New York City as the storm system crossed the region.
A Flood Watch was also put into effect for New York City through 2 a.m. Friday. Officials cautioned that intense rainfall could cause water to accumulate rapidly on streets and highways and in underpasses, basements and other areas particularly susceptible to flooding.
Thursday evening’s severe weather was part of a broader storm system moving across the Tri-State Area, producing thunderstorms and periods of torrential rain during the evening commute. Forecasters said some sections of the city could experience rainfall rates approaching two inches per hour.
New York City Emergency Management specifically warned residents living in basement apartments to remain alert and be prepared to relocate to higher ground if conditions worsen. Officials noted that basement flooding can develop with little warning during intense rainfall and also urged residents never to attempt to walk or drive through flooded streets.
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{Matzav.com}
