Saturday, September 06, 2008

Tropical Storm Hannah Drenches New York City



Tropical Storm Hannah Drenches New York City
www.chinaview.cn 2008-09-07 11:22:11

NEW YORK, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Tropical storm Hanna drenched New York City on Saturday, but no serious damages have been officially reported as the center of the storm approached.

The storm flooded highways and delayed flights for hours in the city. Rain fell heavily at times, and the National Weather Service predicted that the fast-moving storm would dump rain up to four inches (0.1 meter) before midnight and buffet the area with winds of up to 50 miles (80.47 km) per hour.

The effects were expected to be stronger on Long Island, where emergency shelters were opened and parks were closed, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Stretches of several highways north of the city were closed because of flooding, Westchester County police were quoted as saying.

In the city, a tree toppled onto the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn, injuring no one but briefly closing the highway, according to city police.

New York City emergency management commissioner Joseph F. Bruno was quoted as saying that park employees were ready to clear any fallen trees or limbs.

The Red Cross reportedly opened two shelters on Long Island and said it had 1,500 volunteers ready to assist.


Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/07/content_9820855.htm