Storm Ida: New York declares state of emergency over 'brutal flooding'

A state of emergency has been declared in New York City after it was hit by record rainfall and flash flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Ida.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city was "enduring an historic weather event" with "brutal flooding" and "dangerous conditions" on the roads.Footage on social media showed water pouring into subway stations and people's homes, and flooded roads. Hurricane Ida rapidly grew in strength early Sunday, becoming a dangerous Category 4 hurricane just hours before hitting the Louisiana coast as emergency officials in the region grappled with opening shelters for displaced evacuees despite the risk of spreading the coronavirus.As Ida moved through some of the warmest ocean water in the world, its top winds grew by 45 miles per hour (72km/h) to 150mph (230km/h) in five hours.