Reuters, New Jersey
President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations in the state of New York and New Jersey, paving the way for the states to receive much-needed federal assistance after tens of thousands in the region was devastated by the remnants of deadly Hurricane Ida.
Even as that assistance starts to arrive, though, the scope of the destruction is still becoming evident. NJ Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday morning the state's death toll rose to 25 overnight, with at least six people still missing. Another 16 people died in New York, bringing the toll in the two states to 41 people.
Biden on Thursday pledged robust federal help for the Northeastern and Gulf states battered by Hurricane Ida and for Western states beset by wildfires — with the catastrophes serving as deadly reminders that the “climate crisis” has arrived.
“The past few days of Hurricane Ida and the wildfires in the West and the unprecedented flash floods in New York and New Jersey is yet another reminder that these extreme storms and the climate crisis are here,” he said. “We need to be much better prepared. We need to act.”
Biden said he will further press Congress to pass his nearly $1 trillion infrastructure bill to improve roads, bridges, the electric grid and sewer systems. The proposal intends to ensure that the vital networks connecting cities and states and the country as a whole can withstand the flooding, whirlwinds and damage caused by increasingly dangerous weather.
Ida was the fifth-most powerful storm to strike the U.S. when it hit Louisiana on Sunday with maximum winds of 150 mph, likely causing tens of billions of dollars in flood, wind and other damage, including to the electrical grid. The storm's remnants dropped devastating rainfall across parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey on Wednesday, causing significant disruption to major population centers.
The storm has killed at least 13 in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and the death toll has been higher in the Northeast where existing infrastructure failed to keep people safe. At least 41 people died, including a 2-year-old boy, in New York and New Jersey.
The latest death was reported early Friday morning in the city of Mount Vernon. A city spokesperson said Alan Dorsainvil, 33, of the Bronx was found in his vehicle Thursday. Investigators say it appeared that Dorsainvil drove into deep water on South Columbus Avenue and he became trapped as his vehicle filled with floodwater.
Even though historic rainfall, tornadoes and savage winds have left the region, the grim death toll could continue to climb further Friday as emergency crews navigate flooded homes and cars.
Thirteen of the confirmed fatalities were in Brooklyn and Queens and included a 2-year-old boy, 43-, 86- and 48-year-old women and 50-, 66- and 22-year-old men. Another three deaths were confirmed Thursday afternoon in Flushing, the same neighborhood where the toddler and his parents were found dead, officials said.
Two women and a man were discovered dead in the basement of a two-family house, officials said. Their deaths are believed to be storm-related — and the NYPD says so far all the home deaths appear to have involved basement apartments — but will be further investigated. Details on the 12th and 13th New York City victims weren't immediately clear.
"Our hearts ache for the lives lost in last night's storm. Please keep them and their loved ones in your thoughts today," the mayor said Thursday. "They were our fellow New Yorkers and to their families, your city will be there for you in the days ahead."
A couple from Westchester County went missing amid Ida's fury, according to Harrison officials. The couple's vehicle was found Thursday afternoon pinned against a utility pole in Purchase; a body located a quarter mile from the car. A 69-year-old man was found elsewhere in the same county not far from his submerged car near Route 119.
The other 25 confirmed deaths were in New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy said "the majority of these deaths were individuals who got caught in their vehicles by flooding and were taken by the water." Murphy went on to urge residents to not attempt to drive through flood waters, and that flooding dangers still persist.
