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Gov. Blames Poor Drainage for NYC Mess

Torrential rains led to 'total outage' of transit system, Spitzer says

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 8, 2007 8:50 PM CDT
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(Newser) – An inadequate drainage system and little advance warning left New York City transit vulnerable to this morning's powerful storm, Gov. Eliot Spitzer said. The New York Times reports that today's transit meltdown, which disabled or delayed every city subway line and snarled the morning commute, was the third such debilitating event in seven months.

Spitzer ordered a review of the drainage system, which he said was equipped to handle rainfall of 1½ inches per hour but got twice that amount this morning. Hundreds of city workers were still dealing tonight with the aftermath, which might have caused millions in damages.

Commuters on the Upper West Side of Manhattan wait in a stalled subway during the morning rush hour Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Most subway lines in the city were experiencing delays or diversions after torrential rain caused flooding. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Commuters on the Upper West Side of Manhattan wait in a stalled subway during the morning rush hour Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Most subway lines in the city were experiencing delays or diversions after...   (Associated Press)
Commuters on the Upper West Side of Manhattan wait in a stalled subway and on the platform during the morning rush hour Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Most subway lines in the city were experiencing delays or diversions after torrential rain caused flooding. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Commuters on the Upper West Side of Manhattan wait in a stalled subway and on the platform during the morning rush hour Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Most subway lines in the city were experiencing delays...   (Associated Press)
Passengers leave a a subway platform at the 34th Street station on the west side of Manhattan in New York on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. The train normally runs to Brooklyn but passengers were told it was the last stop due to a water condition on the line. Severe storms...
Passengers leave a a subway platform at the 34th Street station on the west side of Manhattan in New York on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. The train normally runs to Brooklyn but passengers were told it was...   (Associated Press)
Long Island Rail Road employee Steven Barrows, right, uses a bullhorn to tell subway commuters they can ride the LIRR for free as many subway lines remain out of service at Atlantic Avenue station, Brooklyn, New York, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Torrential rain flooded subways and rail lines and delayed...
Long Island Rail Road employee Steven Barrows, right, uses a bullhorn to tell subway commuters they can ride the LIRR for free as many subway lines remain out of service at Atlantic Avenue station, Brooklyn,...   (Associated Press)
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weather • New York City • subway • transit • flood • Eliot Spitzer • Con Edison • power outage • drainage

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