Major flooding from Thursday night’s storm has taken over the coast in the southern Queens neighborhoods of Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, Broad Channel and the Rockaways.
Residents are being asked to move to higher ground for their own safety, according the NYC Emergency Management.
The National Weather Service in New York has issued a Special Weather Statement for New York City for rapidly falling temperatures, gusty winds and falling wind chills. They also warned about standing water becoming black ice late this afternoon in the early evening hours. Travel is not recommended.
Early this morning, the city said that the ZIP codes affected by Friday’s storm will be 11224,11235, 11414, 11691,11692, 11693, 11694 and 11697.
..mentioned there was a house fire in Hamilton Beach. This storm has caused significant damage and disruption. Walked passed one man who was carrying a bunch of wires and equipment (and not wearing waders) who said he was going to his business, which was under water. He… pic.twitter.com/Que0MZ4VU2
— Steve Koller (@stevenfkoller) December 23, 2022
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said that his office is monitoring the flooding in the Rockaways and Broad Channel.
“My office is aware of the flooding in parts of Southeast Queens and Rockaway, and I’ll be touring impacted sections of the borough today to observe the conditions for myself,” said Richards. “I also convened a number of city agencies this morning for a comprehensive briefing to discuss the storm, our response to it and learn lessons about how we can be even better prepared for the next storm.”
What I woke up to outside my house. Reminds me of when I woke up on Sandy. pic.twitter.com/HAM5cQNk7E
— Jonathan Lazo (@JonathanLazoNY) December 23, 2022
Steve Koller, an observer of the damage in Howard Beach this morning and a policy PhD candidate at the University of Miami studying flooding impacts, said that this morning’s water levels were the most extreme seen in New York City since Hurricane Sandy.
“I heard from some colleagues that they were expecting three feet of flooding above ground level,” Koller said. “People were definitely feeling the impacts. I’m sure basements got flooded, maybe some first floors, lots of vehicles were flooded and immobile.”
The @nycemergencymgt team is in Howard Beach surveying damage with Councilwoman @JoannAriola32. The ability to assess damage is critical following an emergency. Do your part – call 3-1-1 to report damage or visit, https://t.co/kiYjNzFBu8 pic.twitter.com/gIqneVi4PU
— NYC Emergency Management Commissioner (@NYCEMCommish) December 23, 2022
Queens Public Library has also closed locations in the surrounding areas.
⚠️ Arverne Library (312 Beach 54 Street), Broad Channel Library (16-26 Cross Bay Boulevard), and Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard) are all closed on Friday, December 23 due to flooding in the area. We apologize for any inconvenience. ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/MXyX1JltPV
— Queens Public Library (@QPLNYC) December 23, 2022
This is a developing story. Check QNS.com later for updates.
