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Newark airport flooded, viral video shows submerged terminal as flights halted

As per the Federal Aviation Administration, the air traffic control tower was evacuated earlier because of a tornado warning

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY: Flights were halted at Newark Liberty International Airport late on Wednesday, September 1, after portions of the airport flooded and the air traffic control tower was temporarily evacuated. The flooding was caused by Tropical Storm Ida, which caused tremendous damage in New Orleans as a hurricane. 

At Newark Liberty International Airport, 3.24 inches of rain were recorded between 8 and 9 pm. As of around 11 pm Wednesday, departures to Newark International were reportedly grounded. As per the Federal Aviation Administration, the air traffic control tower was evacuated earlier because of a tornado warning. Controllers reportedly returned to the tower around 10 pm, but flights bound for Newark, La Guardia Airport and JFK International Airport were being held.

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A statement from the Newark Liberty Airport said, “We’re experiencing severe flooding due to tonight’s storm. All flight activity is currently suspended & travelers are strongly advised to contact their airline for the latest flight & service resumption information. Passengers are being diverted from ground-level flooded areas.”

Videos on social media showed flooding in part of a Newark airport terminal Wednesday night. “Nature is great. Trillions of dollars wasted in the name of development, this is the reality of human development. Flooding inside Newark Airport, New Jersey, USA,” said one tweet showing a video of waterlogging inside the airport. The video showed water pooled in by escalators as people stared. Another tweet read: “Didnt know Newark Airport could flood either but here we are.”

One person commented on Twitter, “This flooding is absolutely insane in the Northeast. My aunts and cousins said they already have flooded basements and backyards.” Another tweet said, “Just when you thought today's weather couldn't get any crazier... Newark Airport is a lake.... INSIDE!”

As per the New York Times, the remnants of Ida all but halted subway service, splintered homes in New Jersey. It also raised a tornado warning for the Bronx. At least two deaths were reported in the flooding - one in Queens and one in Passaic, New Jersey.

In Passaic, the person reportedly died after being trapped in a car in the rising floodwaters, Mayor Hector C Lora said in an interview. The authorities were preparing to evacuate residents in part of the city after the Passaic River breached its banks on Wednesday night and caused significant flooding downtown.

The Times also reported that about 200 people were rescued from a train near Newark Airport on Wednesday night as heavy rains and flooding shut down major train routes and other transit passageways throughout the New York region. The passengers had been stuck in a train near the airport for about three and a half hours before they were rescued at about 9 pm. As per Jim Smith, spokesman for New Jersey Transit, no injuries were reported.

The storm flooded the region and poured water throughout New York City’s underground transit system, halting the 24-hour service. Janno Lieber, acting chair and CEO of the city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said that “massive amounts of water” from an “epic storm” had created “severe disruptions.” He warned New Yorkers not to travel until further notice.