Two die in basement flooding amid torrential NYC rainstorm, including man who tried to save his dogs

Two men were found dead in flooded basements on Thursday as torrential downpours triggered flash flooding across New York City, authorities said.

A 39-year-old man was found unresponsive in his basement unit at 564 Kingston Ave. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, around 4 p.m., according to police.

Neighbors said he had been trying to rescue his two dogs when floodwaters rushed into the basement apartment. He managed to get one dog, Luna, out before he was overwhelmed while returning for the second pet.

Firefighters used pumps and specialized equipment to reach him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released.

Neighbors comfort Luna after flash flooding filled a basement apartment in East Flatbush, where her owner died Thursday,Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

The entrance to the flooded basement apartment in East Flatbush where a man was found dead after Thursday’s flash floodingPhoto by Lloyd Mitchell

The city’s Department of Buildings later issued a partial vacate order for the building. According to violations filed Thursday, DOB inspectors found two tents, cots, and mattresses arranged as sleeping accommodations in the cellar, along with personal belongings blocking a required second exit.

Less than two years ago, a complaint was filed alleging that the two-story home had been illegally converted into additional rooms, according to DOB records. Inspectors were denied access on their first inspection visit in December 2023, but returned in January and closed the case, writing that “no occupancy or contrary condition [was] observed in the cellar.”

In Washington Heights, a 43-year-old man identified by police 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 was pronounced dead at the scene.

The storm system dumped more than 2 inches of rain across parts of the five boroughs, leaving streets and highways temporarily impassable, the National Weather Service said.

Central Park recorded more than 1.8 inches of rain, breaking a 108-year-old daily rainfall record.

Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn saw some of the heaviest totals, with nearly 2.8 inches recorded by a community weather observer, according to preliminary NWS data. Other high measurements included 2.64 inches in Ozone Park, Queens; 2.34 inches in Fordham in the Bronx; and more than 2 inches in Midtown Manhattan and near LaGuardia Airport.

Flash flooding was reported across the city beginning in the mid-afternoon. High water levels shut down lanes on the George Washington Bridge and blocked the JFK Expressway near the airport.

Emergency crews also responded to water rescues in Bed-Stuy, Riverdale, and near Brooklyn’s Smith–9th Street station as vehicles became swamped up to their doors.

A wind advisory remains in effect through midnight Friday, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and frequent gusts up to 50 mph, and isolated gusts possibly reaching 55 mph. Winds are expected to peak from early afternoon through the evening.

They should gradually ease overnight and into Saturday. Sunday’s marathon is forecast to see light winds, partly cloudy skies, and highs in the mid-50s.