(NEW YORK) — Two individuals lost their lives in flooded basements on Thursday as heavy rain inundated New York City, causing significant disruptions. The New York Police Department confirmed the fatalities, which occurred during a storm that overwhelmed streets and subway systems.

A 39-year-old man was discovered unconscious in a flooded basement in Brooklyn. The Fire Department of New York's scuba team retrieved his body after receiving a call about a person trapped in the basement of a three-story townhouse around 4:30 p.m. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

In a separate incident, a 43-year-old man was found deceased in a flooded boiler room of an apartment building in Washington Heights, located in northern Manhattan. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding both deaths.

The storm brought over 2 inches of rain to parts of Brooklyn and Queens, prompting flash flood warnings across these areas as well as the Bronx. Preliminary reports indicated that Central Park received 1.8 inches of rain, potentially breaking a record set in 1917. LaGuardia Airport recorded nearly 2 inches, surpassing its previous record from 1955.

Videos shared on social media depicted submerged vehicles, flooded streets, and water pouring into subway stations. Mayor Eric Adams noted the challenges posed by the intense rainfall, stating, "When you look at the amount of water that was coming down, our sewer systems are just not built to handle that. It was a steady rain throughout."

The flooding was highly localized, with some intersections turning into deep pools while nearby areas experienced only minor puddles. Falling tree limbs also caused damage to vehicles in various neighborhoods.

In addition to the fatalities in New York City, a third death was reported in Philadelphia, where a woman was killed when a tree fell on her car during the storm. The severe weather led to the cancellation of over 1,200 flights across the United States, with New York City’s airports experiencing the most significant impact.

The rain and wind affecting the Northeast were not related to Hurricane Melissa, which recently impacted the Caribbean. Instead, they were attributed to an inland storm system that contributed to keeping Melissa away from the U.S.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased individuals. The dangers of flash flooding in basement apartments have been highlighted in the past, particularly following a 2021 incident where heavy rainfall resulted in 11 fatalities in similar circumstances.