January 1, Death toll tops 25 in unprecedented Northeast flooding

At least 25 people died as fallout from Hurricane Ida ravaged the Northeast between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The region had been warned about dangerous flash flooding but hadn’t adequately prepared for the storm’s devastation.

At least 12 people died in New York City, according to authorities. One victim was in a vehicle, and 11 were in flooded basement apartments. Among the dead was a 2-year-old boy.

Since Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center had warned of potentially “significant and life-threatening flash flooding” and river flooding in the region.

However, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said they were taken aback by the storm’s strength.

“We did not know that between 8:50 and 9:50 p.m. last night, that the heavens would literally open up and bring Niagara Falls level of water to the streets of New York,” said Hochul.

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Death toll tops 25 after Ida remnants slam stunned Northeast