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Brooklyn-Queens Vortex Open Thread

The extreme weather event that ripped through parts of Brooklyn and Queens early this evening has left an impressive trail of destruction on sidewalks, streets, and yards -- felling trees, crushing cars and probably bending a few bike frames. Service on the 7 train and the LIRR from Penn Station had to be suspended.
Photo: Jessica Winograd

The extreme weather event that ripped through parts of Brooklyn and Queens early this evening has left an impressive trail of destruction on sidewalks, streets, and yards — felling trees, crushing cars and probably bending a few bike frames. Service on the 7 train and the LIRR from Penn Station had to be suspended.

I watched the storm from Manhattan and rode home to Brooklyn at around 10:30. The bike right-of-way on Vanderbilt Ave was pocked with sludgy wet leaf matter and twigs. Even though I was on a heavy bike with fat tires, it was still kinda nerve-wracking. The occasional tree or enormous branch lying across the whole road seemed easier to handle — at least the cars had to slow down for those too. Ride carefully on Friday, folks.

Photo of Ben Fried
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.

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