Storm Wallops NY

Waves of water and 50 mph winds dumped more than 5-inches of rain on local streets and pelted the runways at La Guardia and John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airports on April 15, resulting in some 300 flights being canceled and 7-hour arrival and departure delays at JFK.

The gusting winds sent trees tumbling to the ground in some Astoria neighborhoods, while homeowners and residents in Flushing and Elmhurst battled Mother Nature's more than 2- feet of water in their basements.

Con Ed crews were on hand throughout Queens to make sure power stayed on during the torrential rains. Firefighters pumped water out of subway stations and tunnels along the Queens Boulevard line in Long Island City, where flooding shut down service at some locations, MTA officials said. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that emergency service agencies were prepared to handle any situation and that storm shelters at Bryant H.S., Aviation H.S. and Flushing H.S. were open for Queens residents who may have been forced out of their homes by flooding, electrical or other emergencies.

The storm of 2007 was reminiscent of the December 11, 1992 nor'easter that dumped 4- feet of water on some local roadways and forced the closing of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel after 6-feet of water filled the roadway. - Liz Goff