Subways, MTA System Crippled as New York Residents Struggled with Commutes

Wednesday was very trying for New Yorkers heading for work in a torrential rain. Subways stopped running, and at one point, when minimum service was restored, people packed into slowly running trains like sardines riding two or three stops on trains that would end at 59th Street. Many trees fell. One park in Brooklyn lost 40 percent of its trees.

Mayor Bloomberg stated this afternoon that he is sending experts to the effected areas. He said that New Yorkers should call 311 to be directed to Rob Walsh. In Brooklyn, the storm seemed to have cut through middle of blocks onto side streets. Roofs of houses were pulled off in an apparent Tornado.

Mayor Bloomberg stated during his news conference that there were two problems on Staten Island. The first is that power lines are above ground and are like that also in the outer areas of Queens further out. These areas are unlike Manhattan where the underground infrastructure has problems less frequently.

Secondly, he stated that in Staten Island, areas flood, particularly when tides are strong. He said that we need barriers and better sewer systems. The DEP, he said, is working on it.

Someone questioned if illegal immigrants would receive help. In an emergency, no identification is needed he said and persons who call 311 speaking any language will get needed services.

The last time New York saw anything that resembled a tornado, Bloomberg said, was in 2003. This type of weather is seen in Midwest all of the time by and by comparison in damage we were very lucky the Mayor said.

Bloomberg noted that going forward, to protect the city, we need to plant 1 million trees, rebuild sewers and develop a long term plan cut back consumption of electricity and power.

New York State's Governor Spitzer and MTA Elliot Sander held a second news conference regarding the New York City flooding, power failures and transit system problems.

Spitzer said that the impact of additional power outages as demand increases was a problem. He said to be careful and to presume that a downed power line may be live. He noted that historically the case that there are more casualties after an event and people getting back into an area often get hurt after an incident is over.

The governor stated that he expects things to be under control soon. Con Edison was reporting power outages and their impact on power. 3 of 18 power cables were out of service. As the heat rises and demand on power rises the problems of providing adequate service also would rise.

The problem this morning on the subways was due to the drainage system. Any rain or water run off above 1.5 inches per minute resulted in a problem for drainage. This was the third time in past 7 months for the result of a total outage of the transit system due to the drainage problem. Spitzer noted that once in decade would this event occur. To have occurred three times though within the past seven months is a design issue.

A 30-day period for officials to speak and plan what to do about nature and the drainage problem has been stipulated. In 2004 similar recommendations were made that have not been sufficient for this ongoing problem with the mass transportation system in New York City. These have been unusual events. The timing and intensity of the storm was a surprise not predicted by national weather service, Sander said. It overwhelmed the pumps and created danger.

The Metro North was hit at Mott Haven, knocking out service to Grand Central Station. The magnitude of this was greater than last two similar incidents of heavy rain effecting the system. Water flooding and smoke stopped services on the trains. In one case, a large tree fell across four tracks.

The evening rush plans included getting the Lexington Avenue trains back in service, the B and Q in operation. Queens Boulevard trains, the E - F - R and V were expected to be out of service for the evening rush. Alternatives planned included the #7 train for the Mets game and arrangements on the LIRR adding cars and extra stops to accommodate Queens passengers as well as extra buses.

A report will look at flooding and technical issues. Spitzer noted that in the aftermath of Minnesota concern about bridges was on the minds of many and a major concern. The structural integrity and security of bridges throughout the state are being checked and moving with enormous speed to see that these are sound.

Possibly related to the rain, an abandoned building at 1916 Park Avenue on 131 Street, collapsed in East Harlem.