'That Isn’t A River:' Cross Island Parkway Floods Amid Major Rain

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — As the remnants of Hurricane Ida brought historic flooding to Queens Wednesday night, the Cross Island Parkway all-but turned into a river, leading to abandoned vehicles and temporary closures.

Wednesday's storm, which prompted the National Weather Service to issue its first-ever flash flood emergency for New York City, caused devastating flooding across Queens that turned deadly in a couple of Queens neighborhoods, where at least 11 people died. 13 New Yorkers, if not more, were killed in the floods, reports show as of Thursday evening.

In Bayside, the storm flooded roadways across the neighborhood, especially the Cross Island Parkway.

One section of the thoroughfare, near the Throgs Neck Bridge, flooded beyond recognition, a video shows. “For reference, that isn’t a river, that’s the Cross Island Parkway,” tweeted one person alongside the video of the flooded roadway.

There was also major flooding near Northern Boulevard, where video footage shows cars underwater. Passengers had to stand on the roofs of their vehicles to stay safe amid flooding, according to one video.

By one account, cars were abandoned by the dozen along the parkway, as people fled to safety.

But, even at home, many Baysiders weren’t in the clear. Neighbors took to local Facebook groups to show images of flooded basement units and ask for advice on how to clean out water from their homes.

Nearby, in Auburndale, three people were found dead after water rushed into their basement apartment unit and they couldn't escape, reports show.

The storm’s significant impact in Queens, especially in southeast parts of the borough, prompted local officials to call for more investment in southeast Queens’ infrastructure, and address climate change.

"We cannot wait until tomorrow, we need [infrastructure investment] today,” said Borough President Donovan Richards at a news conference Thursday morning on 183 Street in Jamaica, where a mother and son died Wednesday night after their home flooded, reports show.

“Unfortunately if we do not address climate change we will continue to lose lives," Richards added.

Critics, however, pushed back, at the news conference suggesting that local officials could have done more to alert New Yorkers about the storm and ensure their safety.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who stood by his administration’s response, admitted that the city's weather predictions were "made a mockery of in a matter of minutes” and warned New Yorkers to assume the worst going forwards.

"From now on what I think we do is tell New Yorkers to expect the very, very worst. It may sound alarmist at times, but unfortunately, it's being proven by nature,” he said.

Related Articles:

• 'We Need It Today:' Queens Leaders Demand Help After Major Storm
• Mother, Son Among At Least 9 Dead In NYC After Flooding: Reports
• 3 People Found Dead In Auburndale Home As Flood Death Toll Rises