Urgent: Two Men Die in NYC Basement Flooding Amid Storm

UPDATE: Tragedy struck in New York City as two men were found dead in their flooded basements during a torrential rainstorm on Thursday. The intense weather brought flash flooding that overwhelmed neighborhoods, leaving a profound impact on the community.

At approximately 4 p.m., a 39-year-old man was discovered unresponsive in his basement apartment at 564 Kingston Ave. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Neighbors revealed he was attempting to rescue his two dogs when he was overtaken by the rising floodwaters. He successfully saved one dog, Luna, but tragically drowned while trying to retrieve the second. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a separate incident, a 43-year-old man identified as Juan Carlos Montoya Hernandez was found unconscious in the flooded basement of his building at 701 West 175th St. around 4:45 p.m. He too was pronounced dead shortly after emergency crews arrived.

The city’s Department of Buildings issued a partial vacate order for the East Flatbush building after inspectors found unsafe living conditions. Reports indicate that the cellar was improperly converted into living space with tents and mattresses, blocking the required second exit. This echoes a 2022 complaint about illegal conversions in the two-story home.

The storm system unleashed over 2 inches of rain across the five boroughs, with Central Park recording 1.8 inches, breaking a 108-year-old daily rainfall record. Areas like Sheepshead Bay saw nearly 2.8 inches, while Ozone Park and Fordham recorded significant totals as well.

Flooding caused chaos throughout the city, closing lanes on the George Washington Bridge and blocking the JFK Expressway. Emergency crews were deployed for water rescues in multiple neighborhoods, including Bed-Stuy and Riverdale. Vehicles were reported submerged up to their doors in some areas.

As the storm continues to pose risks, a wind advisory remains in effect until midnight Friday, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts possibly reaching 55 mph. Residents are urged to remain vigilant as conditions may worsen.

This incident highlights the urgent need for better flood preparedness and infrastructure resilience as New York City grapples with increasingly severe weather patterns.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as authorities continue to assess the damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths.