At least 23 people died, including a New York City toddler, and tens of thousands were overwhelmed by floods as the remnants of Hurricane Ida devastated the tri-state area overnight with historic rainfall, at least one tornado and savage winds.
Nine of the confirmed fatalities were in two boroughs -- a 2-year-old boy, 45-, 86- and 48-year-old women and 50- and 22-year-old men in Queens and a 66-year-old man in Brooklyn. Details on the ninth New York City victim, which Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed at a mid-morning news briefing, weren't immediately clear.
NYPD Commissioner said it appears all the New York City home deaths involved people who lived in basement apartments.
"Our hearts ache for the lives lost in last night's storm. Please keep them and their loved ones in your thoughts today," the mayor said Thursday. "They were our fellow New Yorkers and to their families, your city will be there for you in the days ahead."
NBC4's Linda Gaudino reports.
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