Record rain in New York City generates 'life-threatening' flooding, overwhelming streets and subways

Record-setting rain overwhelmed New York City's sewer system Friday, sending a surge of floodwater coursing through streets and into basements, schools, subways and vehicles throughout the nation's most populous city.

The water rose fast and furious, catching some commuters off guard as they slogged through Friday morning's rush hour. First responders jumped into action where needed, plucking people from stranded cars and basements that filled like bathtubs.

More rain fell in a single day at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport - nearly 8 inches - than any other since 1948. A month's worth of rain fell in Brooklyn in just three hours as it was socked by some of the storm's most intense rainfall rates Friday morning.

Track travel delays: NYC airports hammered with heavy rain and flooding

The prolific totals are a symptom of climate change, scientists say, with a warmer atmosphere acting like a massive sponge, able to sop up more water vapor and then wring it out in intense spurts which can easily overwhelm outdated flood protections.

"Overall, as we know, this changing weather pattern is the result of climate change," Rohit Aggarwala, New York City's Chief Climate Officer said in a Friday morning news conference. "And the sad reality is our climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can respond."

A widespread 3 to 6 inches of rain had fallen across the New York City by late Friday afternoon. More rain will fall through the evening, though it will gradually taper off.