LIRR restores service after flooding halted Port Washington Branch
Friday morning's commute got off to a shaky start as screens at the Bayside station showed canceled trains to Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal until about 6 a.m.
Once the MTA was able to get service back on track, the sound of trains pulling into the station was music to commuters' ears.
"Yeah, we're in good shape, and back to work. It's the most exciting thing to happen to Bayside," Dan Sheffer said.
Sheffer's attitude was a far cry from what many riders expressed on Thursday, when many were dealing with the extreme weather.
Yesterday, the FDNY was called to help commuters who were trapped inside a train just outside Bayside, where flooding blocked much of the line. The heavy rail pelted the Clearview Expressway, where at least three vehicles got stuck, and other parts of Queens.
"I was worried about the people inside. I was hoping they were gonna get out," Brie Taveras, of Auburndale, said.
When it came to transit, many couldn't help but think about what a challenging week it has been in the New York City area. In addition to flooding, at least two power outages impacted several subway lines.
"The big picture has been good ... This is not the 'summer of hell,'" MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said at a Friday news conference. "What we've experienced is the challenge of having really old infrastructure and being subject to the water that comes from all over, down onto tracks and hitting the subway and commuter rail system ... So we've got to fix that. We have to work with our partners in municipalities, especially the City of New York, to keep the water out so we don't have these impacts on transit."
"The water was up to the platform here at Bayside and just east of Bayside, as you go to Great Neck, there was another flooding condition," LIRR President Rob Free said. "I just want to emphasize, as well, that our system is resilient. It's constructed in a way that can accommodate water that emulates and accumulates on our property. But when you introduce storm runoff water from the surrounding areas -- thousands of gallons rushing onto our property -- it cannot keep up with it."
It's smooth sailing for now, and riders are hoping it stays that way.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
NYC flooding pours into subway as state declares emergency
STORY: :: Chantal McLaughlin :: Flooding in New York City pours into the subway as the state declares an emergency :: July 31, 2025 :: New York :: Train service has been suspended in some parts of the city :: Newark, New Jersey Reuters was able to independently verify the location of the videos by the New York City subway design that matched file imagery as well as confirmation by the source. The date when the video was filmed was verified by original file metadata. Train service has been suspended in some parts of the city as a state of emergency was declared for the Bronx, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester and Contiguous Counties. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and her acting counterpart in New Jersey said they were declaring states of emergency for areas facing the threat of extreme flash floods forecast on Thursday (July 31) for much of the Eastern Seaboard. The National Weather Service posted flash flood warnings along parts of the Northeast urban corridor stretching from the Washington-Baltimore region north through Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware, and into the New York City metropolitan area. Severe thunderstorm watches were also in effect across much of the Interstate-95 corridor. Up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) of rain was forecast in the heaviest bands of showers expected across New York City, Long Island and the Hudson River Valley, with rainfall rates that could exceed 2 inches per hour, according to a statement from Hochul. The Weather Service attributed the storm threat to a cold front that was bringing a combination of unstable air mass and exceptional amounts of atmospheric moisture to the region.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Slow Tropical Development Possible By Early Week Near The Southeast Coast
Slow tropical development is possible off the Southeast or mid-Atlantic coasts over the next few days. A sluggish cold front is pushing through the South this weekend and an area of low pressure is expected to develop along it. These areas of spin can, on occasion, generate sustained thunderstorms and an area of spin as they move northeastward away from the Southeast. (MORE: 5 Different Ways Tropical Storms And Hurricanes Can Form, Including From Tropical Waves To Gyres) Chances of formation into a tropical depression or storm are currently low, but this is a favored area for development climatologically. Regardless of tropical development, the frontal boundary that gives us this opportunity for development will also pool abundant moisture and cooler air across the Southeast. The moisture could be enough to cause flooding in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina or Tennessee this weekend. The next named storm to form will be named "Dexter." Southeast, Lesser Antilles Favored Development Areas In August A steep increase in tropical activity has historically occurred over the next 4-6 weeks across the Atlantic basin. Tropical development can occur anywhere from the Gulf and Southeast coasts to the Central Atlantic and even off the coast of Canada. (MORE: Hurricane Season's Main Event: Why August Typically Kicks Off The Atlantic's Most Active Time) This is because water temperatures are near their annual peak, Saharan air has typically mixed out, wind shear is decreasing and instability across the basin is high. These are all favorable conditions for tropical formation. Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Researchers issue stark warning over worsening crisis that could cause catastrophic flooding: 'It is only a matter of time'
Researchers issue stark warning over worsening crisis that could cause catastrophic flooding: 'It is only a matter of time' A new report has revealed that the United Kingdom has been "warmer, wetter, and sunnier" in recent years compared to the previous century. Scientists have also determined that the rate of sea level rise in the UK is greater than in the rest of the world. What's happening? In the new State of the UK Climate report, researchers from the National Climate Information Centre and National Oceanography Centre have detailed escalating changes across the country. Among the more notable observations is that the last three years are now among the UK's top five warmest on record. Not to be outdone, sea level rise measurements indicate that the country is outpacing the global average rate. This alarming development has become a real cause for concern, with experts fearing the consequences could be catastrophic down the line. Since the start of the 20th century, UK sea levels have risen by nearly 19.5 centimeters, or just under eight inches, per Oceanographic's coverage of the report in mid-July. However, two-thirds of this rise has happened in just the last three decades. Between 1993 and 2024, levels rose by 13.4 centimeters, while the global estimate was just 10.6 centimeters. Why is rapid sea level rise concerning? From increased flooding to erosion and habitat loss, sea level rise poses significant threats to coastal communities, regional economies, and essential ecosystems. Higher waters also drive the potential for destructive flooding and storm surges, resulting in more frequent and severe damage. This can compromise costly infrastructure, wipe out vulnerable wildlife, and endanger human populations. According to the State of the UK Climate report, the most extreme sea levels recorded in 2024 were associated with the significant storm system Storm Kathleen, which brought major surges and widespread flooding. "The storm surge events the UK experienced in 2024 demonstrate the potential for the UK to be affected by coastal flooding," Svetlana Jevrejeva, of the National Oceanography Centre, told Oceanographic. "As sea levels continue to rise around the UK, this risk is only going to increase further." What's being done about sea level rise? Measures aimed at addressing the root cause of sea level rise have largely focused on reducing heat-trapping pollution in the atmosphere. Slowing the warming of the planet could mitigate the glacier and ice sheet melting that drives waters higher all around the world. Investing in seawalls and restoring natural barriers — such as wetlands and sand dunes — can help protect communities and ecosystems. There is also a need for worst-case scenario planning, including clear-headed preparations for the possibility of relocating coastal and island residents to inland areas. "The timing of storms relative to the spring-neap tidal cycle is critical, but, as we know from historical events, it is only a matter of time until the UK is next in the path of a major storm surge event," Jevrejeva added. "This extra sea level contribution is leading to an increase in the frequency of extreme sea levels and an intensification of coastal hazards." Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
