Flooding Disrupts LIRR in Bayside, Queens; Residents Rescue, Retaining Wall Failure

Bayside LIRR Station Flooded

• 🌊 Bayside, Queens experienced significant flooding, transforming the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) stop into a canal during rush hour.
• 🚆 Over 100 passengers were rescued from a stranded LIRR train after it stopped short of the flooded station.
• ⏳ Passengers reported waiting up to 2 hours for first responders to assist them to safety, with some experiencing panic attacks.
• 🛠️ MTA workers are on-site with pumps and hoses, working to clear the water and restore service on the Port Washington branch.

Retaining Wall Collapse and Home Damage

• ⚠️ A retaining wall near the LIRR tracks failed, causing a rock slide into a nearby homeowner's yard.
• 🏠 Homeowners expressed fear that the wall would fail for years, citing inadequate drainage and insufficient periodic checks by the LIRR.
• 📹 Ring camera footage captured the dramatic moment of the retaining wall's failure and the subsequent floodwaters.
• 🔍 MTA inspectors are currently assessing the damage to the Long Island Railroad Port Washington branch, examining how undermined the rails may be.

Service Disruptions and Future Outlook

• 🚫 All service on the Port Washington branch remains cancelled.
• ⏰ The LIRR anticipates reduced service for the morning rush, advising commuters to leave extra time.
• 🗣️ One commuter, amidst the flooding, sarcastically remarked that "climate change is a hoax."