NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — The MTA is hunkering down for possible flooding Tuesday afternoon, MTA Chair Janno Lieber said.
According to the National Weather Service, some areas in the tri-state area may receive up to four inches of rain, with peak rainfall rates around two inches per hour. The entire region is under a flood watch from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday.
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To prepare for possible flooding, the MTA is checking emergency generators, clearing drains, and prepping backup pumps to deal with excess water, Lieber told reporters on Tuesday.
Transit crews will also add vent covers to keep drains clear so any water that does get in doesn’t accumulate on the tracks, according to MTA.
“Priority number one is getting water out of the system, we do this every day,” Lieber said. “The problem is that storms are getting more frequent and more intense.”
Additional staff will also be staged at flood‑prone locations, including stations and rail yards, ready to respond if flooding develops, the MTA said.
There is a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks on MTA bridges and tunnels starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Pedestrian walkways on the bridges may close due to severe wind. Access-A-Ride paratransit will continue service.
For up-to-date transit information, go to mta.info, the MTA app, and the TrainTime app. New Yorkers can also dial 511 for updates or sign up for email alerts. New Yorkers can sign up for emergency updates by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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