Aaron Akaberi and Juan Carlos Montoya Hernandez die in fatal New York City flood.
Fatal New York City flood death of Aaron Akaberi
Fatal New York City flood death of Juan Carlos Montoya Hernandez
Special investigations are underway regarding the premises where Aaron Akaberi lost his life. The authorities have confirmed the identities of the two individuals who perished in basement flooding incidents in New York City on Thursday.
The extreme weather event resulted in significant street flooding, which subsequently entered structures and impacted certain subway systems. According to reports from the police, Aaron Akaberi, aged 39, entered his basement apartment in Brooklyn with the intention of rescuing his pets. He managed to save the first dog but tragically did not succeed in saving the second one before the rising waters claimed his life in the Kingston Avenue residence. Following the rescue operation by FDNY divers, his body was taken to Kings County Hospital, where the death was officially recorded. Tragically, the second dog did not survive the incident either.
A personal acquaintance shared fond memories of Akaberi, describing him as “an exceptionally kind-hearted and straightforward individual” who possessed a generous spirit and was not inclined towards self-seeking endeavors.
The involved apartment has been flagged for potential non-compliance with housing regulations. Separately, in the Washington Heights neighborhood, the body of Juan Carlos Montoya Hernandez, identified as Carlito, was discovered inside a flooded boiler room located in a basement. Initial findings suggest that Mr. Hernandez was the victim of electrocution while attempting to drain the accumulating water from the boiler room at West 175th Street.
This incident marks yet another severe consequence of the intense rainfall that has affected New York City. The city’s infrastructure has been reported to be struggling significantly with the impact of heavy downpours, leading to widespread issues.
In response to the deluge, emergency services handled over 800 calls related to flooding through the city’s 311 system. Recovery and maintenance efforts continued into the following day, focusing on the clearing and enhancement of drainage systems. According to the New York City Environmental Protection Office, the municipal sewer network was designed to handle a maximum of 1.75 inches of rain per hour; however, the recent storm produced rainfall equivalent to 6 inches per hour in specific locations, overwhelming the system.
Recognizing the dangers associated with basement living during extreme weather, the city has been raising awareness among residents of such apartments since the devastating remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021, which resulted in the loss of 13 lives, including 11 individuals who drowned in their basement homes.
