Tropical Storm Ophelia Brings Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to New York City Metropolitan Area
View Photos of MTA Storm Response
Dozens of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit frontline employees worked through the late morning into the early afternoon to remove a fallen tree and its extensive branches from southbound tracks as Tropical Storm Ophelia continued to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across the New York metropolitan area.
At approximately 11:29 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, a tree fell across the southbound tracks near 8 Av on the line in Brooklyn. Crews worked to remove the tree and additional debris by cutting it into several pieces and removing it from the tracks.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. crews successfully cleared the tracks of all tree debris, restoring service ahead of the evening commute.
“New York City Transit crews are prepared for whatever challenges they may face in the field, whether that be potential flooding, fallen debris, or any other obstacles,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey. “Transit workers stepped up and responded quickly this afternoon, ensuring the safe restoration of train service before the evening rush.”
MTA Communications kept customers updated in real-time, delivering weather-related updates to hundreds of thousands of riders across the Authority’s website, apps, e-mail alert distribution system and digital signage during the disruption to service, which included diverting trains onto the line.