US Hurricane Ida Death Toll at 46... Biden Calls "Climate Crisis an Immediate Reality" (Comprehensive)

16 Dead in New York, 23 in New Jersey as Death Toll Continues to Rise
New York City Records Highest Rainfall Since 1869 Weather Observations
Biden: "Infrastructure Investment Bill Must Pass to Address Climate Crisis"

On the 2nd (local time), vehicles submerged by heavy rain caused by Hurricane Ida remain abandoned on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx borough of New York City, USA. This heavy rain has caused significant damage, with at least 46 people reported dead so far in the northeastern metropolitan area of the United States. Meteorologists analyze that the unprecedented heavy rainfall was caused by abnormal weather patterns due to global warming. On the same day, President Joe Biden emphasized in a White House speech regarding the hurricane damage that "the climate crisis is an imminent reality." New York (USA) = AFP·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] At least 46 people have died and more than 200,000 households have experienced power outages in major metropolitan areas in the northeastern United States, including New York, which was hit by Hurricane Ida. With record-breaking rainfall causing major rivers to overflow, the scale of flood damage is increasing. U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized that the climate crisis is becoming a reality and that rapid implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is necessary to respond effectively.

According to foreign media such as CNN on the 2nd (local time), the death toll from Hurricane Ida, which struck the northeastern U.S., has reached at least 46. There were a total of 16 deaths in New York City and New York State, 23 in New Jersey, 5 in Pennsylvania, and one each in Maryland and Connecticut.

More than 18cm of rainfall recorded in New York's Central Park... Highest ever recorded

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), more than 9 inches (about 22.9 cm) of rain fell in these areas within a day due to the impact of Hurricane Ida that swept through the northeastern U.S. the previous day. This far exceeded the NWS's forecasted rainfall of 3 to 6 inches. In Central Park, located in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, 7.19 inches of rain was recorded, marking the highest rainfall since weather observations began in 1869. It is analyzed that the massive rainfall exceeding previous expectations was caused by abnormal weather patterns due to global warming.

The heavy rain caused power outages in more than 200,000 households, and major roads and subways were flooded, paralyzing transportation in the area. Many people are reported missing after being swept away by the rapid currents, and the death toll is expected to continue rising. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said at a press conference that day, "The sky literally opened up, and water poured onto the streets of New York at the level of Niagara Falls," while New York Mayor Bill de Blasio appealed, "Citizens barely passed through hell. We need help."

Biden: "Climate crisis is a reality right before our eyes... Urgent passage of Infrastructure Investment Act"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In a speech at the White House that day, President Biden said, "Extreme storms like Hurricane Ida remind us that the climate crisis is a reality right before our eyes and that the nation needs to be better prepared for the climate crisis," adding, "To enhance our resilience to the climate crisis, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act must be passed, and I will pressure Congress to ensure its swift passage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.