Deluge cripples New York transport system

A torrential downpour sent water surging through New York’s tube system, highway tunnels and across airport runways, leaving thousands stranded and one big question: How could 3ins of rain bring the country’s largest transport system to a halt?

The storm, which also spawned a tornado, hit just before dawn yesterday. By rush hour, the tube system was virtually paralysed when pumping stations became overwhelmed. Bedlam resulted from too much rain, too fast, with some commuters spending a half day just getting to work.