NYC Subways Could Be Crippled for Days

[brooklynite]

Source: Wall Street Journal

Floodwaters rushed through Lower Manhattan on Monday night, inundating subway and automotive tunnels and likely forcing a prolonged shutdown of New York City’s mass-transit system.

No clear estimate was available, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority did not provide a timetable for reopening the subways. But the extent of flooding and the height of the storm surge appeared likely to meet or exceed the level of a 1992 nor’easter that forced the temporary closure of subway tunnels for both the MTA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The likelihood of damage to underground infrastructure from a wave of corrosive saltwater made the chance of a quick restoration of full subway service between Manhattan and Brooklyn slim. One MTA official said, “It could be a long time.”

As the Journal reported earlier Monday evening, transit workers were moving to seal off openings that could allow corrosive salt water to sweep into the subway system and incapacitate trains. Still, the threat of an extended shutdown loomed over a system that carries 5.2 million passengers a day and is essential to the city’s economy

Read more: http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2012/10/29/nyc-subways-could-be-crippled-for-at-least-week/

[Tx4obama]

1. Could be a 'week'

ThinkProgressVerified ?@thinkprogress

Subways in Lower Manhattan inundated with water. Could be closed for a week. (via @WSJNY)

https://twitter.com/thinkprogress/status/263084548068347904

[freshwest]

2. The economic damage from this is going to be terrific. And it appears some lives lost, as well.

[Pachamama]

6. I was thinking more like "weeks" or with very limited service in select areas...

This is going to be a big task - my guess is they have not just clean up from corrosive salt water, but damage the electrical and mechanical structures and they need to have structural engineers inspect and insure that the tunnels are stable and safe....

This is going to be a nightmare...keeping in mind the age of this system....and imagine the cost....

[RebelOne]

13. Imagine the cost to those who are left without transportation to their jobs. n/t

[Pachamama]

16. Which in the NYC area is pretty much 90+% of population....

Everyone I know in Manhattan (with exception of some high powered execs w/ private car service) use the subway! Meanwhile the few people I know with cars in Manhattan lost them to flood waters in the garages last night!!!!

What a mess....

[Up2Late]

3. The Flooding isn't just in Lower Manhattan, the 86th Street station is flooded too

Check it out at this link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2225108/Hurricane-Sandy-2012-One-million-power-New-York-Bloomberg-warns-city-prepare-worst.html?ICO=most_read_module

It's about the 12th or 13th pictures down.

[appal_jack]

7. Wow

86th St. is atop 'Carnegie Hill' if I recall correctly. It's been decades since I lived in NYC, but back then I worked as a bike messenger, and I remember the workout that an upper east side delivery entailed.

This flooding is serious business.

-app

[sir pball]

8. It's not 86th in Manhattan

That's the 86th Street station on the N - it's way out in Bay Ridge, just a mile or so from Coney Island. Low-lying coastal area. I thought it was 86th on the 4/5/6 too; first impression was "holy shit, it's going to be a month".

[Lawlbringer]

9. Actually, Bensonhurst/Gravesend

This stop is the one I use to get to work...kinda lame that I'm missing days.

It's surreal to see the station I go to every single day (transportation on weekends, too) looking like the lazy river.

Maybe I should buy a nice tube and a little battery operated fan, I can float up.

[Up2Late]

11. OH, OK, I was thinking that was the #1 line, Upper West Side

I guess if it's down near Coney Island, that's not so surprising. My grand-parents lived at 95th and West End Ave. back in the 1980s, so it's been a while since I've been there.

Stay safe everyone.

[appal_jack]

12. Ah, that makes more sense.

Ah, that makes more sense. Nonetheless, what a mess. Prayers and good vibes for all northeasterners, as you recover & rebuild.

-app

[leftynyc]

4. I can't believe the pictures

I'm seeing of the NYC area. I live in Westchester and am fortunately still with lights (though I don't know how with the crazy wind last night). Relatives north of me are in the dark and my friends in the Murray Hill area of Manhattan (east 30s) and Chelsea (west 20s and 30s) are also dark (this area also includes my office which we're assuming is also dark as our phone system is down). The city is completely isolated - no trains, buses, bridges and tunnels closed and even cabs are off the streets. I've never seen it like this.

A large swath of Atlantic City is destroyed. Beachfront areas are decimated - homes in the ocean. It's heartbreaking.

[davidpdx]

5. The Seoul Subway has flooded many times as well

I remember one time I was trying to get to my in-laws and had to transfer between two lines. When I walked through the station there was part of it flooded. I called my wife and asked her whether I should go wading or go home. Fortunately she said go home.

[OKNancy]

10. I guess cell and land lines are down too

I talked to my sister last night at about 10pm her time and I can't reach her at all today.
She lives in the West Village ( West 9th). I know she was without power. She lost that at about 8 or so.

[Posteritatis]

14. The cell network's probably straight-up overwhelmed, even if it's functioning. (nt)

[OKNancy]

15. I just got a text from her, she had to walk 20 blocks north

texted me that she was OK... lonely, but OK