UWS Rep Gale Brewer Trapped For Hours On 2 Train Stalled By Floods

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY —Among the scores of disgruntled straphangers stalled by the torrential downpour that slammed New York City Friday was an Upper West Side elected who found herself trapped on a rain for hours.

City Council Member Gale Brewer was stranded on a 2 train “for hrs” at 96th Street, according to a 1:47 p.m. tweet from her X account.

“I have been on #2 train at W 96 St station for hrs & I am not alone,” Brewer wrote. “I have plenty of work & lots of constituents 2 talk 2."

I have been on #2 train at W 96 St station for hrs & I am not alone! I have plenty of work & lots of constituents 2 talk 2. I was on my way to City Hall for 4pm bill signing with @NYCMayor but it just got cancelled! I am leaving now to go District Off. Good announcements from MTA pic.twitter.com/UbiIghrxzX
— Gale A. Brewer (@galeabrewer) September 29, 2023

Brewer was on her way to City Hall for a 4 p.m. bill signing with Mayor Eric Adams that has since been cancelled.

MTA CEO and Chairman Janno Lieber said at an emergency press conference Friday that "about half of the subway system is either fully suspended or partially suspended."

The MTA reports 1, 2, and 3 trains have been held in stations in Manhattan since about 10:15 a.m. this morning as crews worked to remove water from flooded tracks in Manhattan and Brooklyn, according to the MTA's X account.

In Brooklyn, 2 and 3 train service was suspended.

“There is only extremely limited subway service available because of heavy flooding,” the MTA said Friday morning. “Service is suspended at many stations. Please stay home if you don't need to travel.”

According to MTA data via the Stringline database, the 2 train only made five trips in two hours between 12:24 and 2:24 p.m. Friday. That's compared to 25 trips the same line made during the same afternoon period Thursday.

The mayor, meanwhile, remained missing in action for much of Friday morning as New Yorkers grappled with heavy rain that flooded streets, basement apartment and subways, snarled commutes and delayed flights.

In an uncharacteristically subdued appearance Friday afternoon, Adams defended his complete public silence, arguing his commissioners had aptly taken the reins.

"We have good team leaders that are competent, that understand the subject matter and they know leadership is not only the mayor," he said.

Read more: Adams AWOL As NYC Floods And Hochul Acts