AT LEAST nine people have died and hundreds more have had their homes ripped apart as the north-east of America continues to be pummelled by Storm Ida.
Record amounts of rainfall sparked flash floods all over New York and New Jersey, as thousands residents desperately evacuate to higher ground.
Every single subway line in New York City has been suspended and shocking footage has emerged of floodwater sweeping through the underground, in scenes akin to the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow.
People were trapped in flooded basements of their homes, while one body was found in a vehicle that had been swept away.
A two-year-old boy is understood to be among the nine victims that have been confirmed so far.
The governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called it a "historic weather event".
"We're enduring an historic weather event tonight with record-breaking rain across the city, brutal flooding and dangerous conditions on our roads," de Blasio said on Twitter.
28th street and 7th avenue @MTA station tonight. Very Heavy rain, if you in New York City, avoid traveling tonight if you can. #newyork #flood #Floodbot #mta #newyorkcity pic.twitter.com/bRUKjjQU1G
— Maps DK NY (@maps_dk) September 2, 2021
Flood waters are tearing through some ground floor New York apartments 😢 pic.twitter.com/vEOrAYoQdl
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) September 2, 2021
At least 3in (8cm) of rain fell in just one hour in New York's Central Park.
New York resident George Bailey gave the BBC an insight into just how quickly the carnage ensued: "Right in the middle of dinner I hear gurgling, and the water's coming up out of the shower drain in our bathroom.
"I went to check the main water line in the utility room, and by the time I walked back into the living room there was nearly a foot of water. It was incredible how fast it came through."
ALERT 🚨 Vehicles literally floating in flood water in Queens, New York City pic.twitter.com/Xd99tYWrE0
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 2, 2021
The Day After Tomorrow v Today