New Yorkers Wade Through Literal Cesspools to Catch the Train

Leaving the house ten years ago: Keys. Wallet. Phone.
Leaving the house in 2021: Keys. Wallet. Phone. Face mask. Hand sanitizer. Life vest. Canoe. Tetanus shot.

As Hurricane Elsa puts NYC's crumbling infrastructure to the test, New Yorkers are wading through toxic subterranean pools and flooded boroughs to get to point B. In a number of viral videos captured by people at the 157th Street subway station last night, commuters are seen attempting to protect themselves from the filthy water using trash bags, without much success. Above ground wasn't much prettier for those trying to get through actual rivers of traffic. Many turned to Twitter to express concern and criticism toward MTA and the city. New Yorkers haven't forgotten Hurricane Sandy and they certainly don't want to experience the sequel.

Posted by Mel Dawn

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Some subway system ya got there. This is the 157th St. 1 line right now. @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio pic.twitter.com/xyfTAUPPNu
— Paullee (@PaulleeWR) July 8, 2021

Via @PaulleeWR
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Via @PaulleeWR

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Via @PaulleeWR
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There was a problem rendering this video - it may have been deleted.

Via @lindavt
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pic.twitter.com/7b5Ksvh9jW
— Buckle up (@Krypt0Keepr) July 9, 2021

Via @krypt0keepr
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Via @drimcalban
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Via @Super_Carter
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How’s your summer going? ⛈ pic.twitter.com/HJENycDyqb
— Douglas Stuart (@Doug_D_Stuart) July 8, 2021

Via @Doug_D_Stuart
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It's a manhole on a NYC subway platform below ground. There was very heavy rain from the storm that cause some localized flooding. The rain found its way into a manhole at street level and followed conduits down. Head pressure from the drop caused this fountain effect.
— Robert (@e_wile) July 9, 2021

Via @e_wile
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Via @epclemente
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The videos coming out of the NYC subway right now are terrifying pic.twitter.com/EKRCppnO9g
— Read Jackson Rising by @CooperationJXN (@JoshuaPHilll) July 8, 2021

Via @JoshuaPotash
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There was a problem rendering this video - it may have been deleted.

Via @danooch23
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What’s crazy about the NYC subway flooding video is that’s just after a couple days of regular ass rain.

Tropical Storm Elsa is coming tonight and NY is about to flood way worse. You’d think after Hurricane Sandy they would have learned a thing or two.

Buckle up New Yorkers.
— Big Pizza (@TheLexxorcist) July 9, 2021

Via @TheLexxorcist
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What in the actual fuck 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😂😂
NYC subway currently 😳 pic.twitter.com/DPj2LI7t8T
— LittleMissHorrorNerd 💙💛💙 (@MissHorrorNerd) July 8, 2021

Via @MissHorrorNerd
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That wasn’t designed to handle 3-5” of rain in the matter of a couple hours.
— Vaughn Judge Jr. (@SixFootLive) July 9, 2021

Via @SixFootLive
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Via @RegStrategist
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@MTA Flooding in 125th St. station pic.twitter.com/REAQSoUFSx
— Mark Metzger (@metzger_mark) July 8, 2021

Via @metzger_mark
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There was a problem rendering this video - it may have been deleted.

Via @MangoTreesForMe