Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Yes, The MTA Completely Flooded This Subway Entrance For A Reason
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 21, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 21, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Every day is a new day when it comes to the subway—you could be trapped on a train with no explanation for hour(s) or battling raccoons just to get to work on time. Or you could happen upon a subway entrance that's totally flooded to the brim on a clear fall day, like a magical urban cenote that makes you wish you brought your scuba gear.
Well, hello.
Passerby Kaye Blegvad tweeted the above photograph with a simple plea: "MTA explain yourself." The MTA's social media team was quick to respond.
Ha ha. Then the MTA got serious:
The MTA further elaborated: "We're investing in capital projects around the system to prepare for the impacts of a changing climate. Here's another one that might interest you! We're always here to answer any questions you may have." The agency shared a link to a press release on how the MTA is working to protect the Coney Island Yard from climate change.
During Superstorm Sandy, multiple subway stations and tunnels were flooded and suffered damage that the agency is still trying to repair (yes, that's why the L train is being rehabbed).
In a 2019 report (PDF) that provided an update on resiliency work post-Sandy, the MTA noted, "At street level, we built flood gates into flood-prone train station entrances, while hatches and manhole covers were redesigned to withstand large volumes of standing water. Underground, marine cabling replaced the regular wiring in the under-river tubes to increase flood resiliency." For instance, the MTA spent $369 million to upgrade the South Ferry 1 station, which was flooded by nearly 15 million gallons of salt water and, across the system, they've been adding more flood protections, like "flex gates," to stations.
So that's why the Broadway station entrance was flooded for a few hours. "For a second it was very surreal," Blegvad said, describing her reaction to seeing the watery opening. "I thought the entire station must be flooded, then realized the other entrances were dry and kinda shrugged, thought 'oh, MTA,' figured it was some kind of maintenance thing. Only a few minutes later it sunk in how deeply weird it was!"
Or maybe it's the portal to the secret sea turtle subway system, as depicted in Deborah Brown's Platform Diving mural at the Houston Street station?
The Houston Street mosaic by Deborah Brown
Tagged
climate change
resiliency
we the commuters
subway
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 7:28 a.m. ET
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
The Trump administration issued new guidance outlining a plan to replace expiring rental assistance vouchers with a new program.
By
David Brand
News
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
The Trump administration issued new guidance outlining a plan to replace expiring rental assistance vouchers with a new program.
By
David Brand
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
By
Samantha Max
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
By
Giulia Heyward
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
By
Caroline Lewis
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .