All right, there you heard, live coverage of Mayor Adams and Governor Hokel and Emergency Services Director for New York City's Act Iskall declaring a state of emergency because of the heavy rain, the mayor advised people to shelter in place. He used that phrase, he told people if you near a subway station do not enter it, he caution people not to think it's over just because the rain stops for a while, it's supposed to keep being bad in waves, with up to eight inches of rain possible in the city, eight inches of rain is

crazy, eight inches of snow is one thing, but eight inches of rain, it never happens and has very different implications. The mayor, well, the governor emphasized that it's a life threatening rain, and also to remember it's going to be really bad on and off today, even if there is a gap where you are at the moment, the governor said we lose more lives during a flooding event than many other kinds of weather, and that happens largely when people are swept away in their cars. The governor said airline flights are coming

in going, but with delays and that terminal A at LaGuardia is closed because of flooding, then New York City Emergency Services Director's Act Iskall said his main concerns are highway flooding, basement flooding, and the impacts on the MTA, and for those of you who do experience damage as a result of this once we get into the recovery phase, he says you can call 3-1-1 to start the assistance process. With us now, for a few minutes is the Manhattan Burrow

President, Mark Levine, but our president thanks for joining us on short notice during this emergency. Hi, Brian, how are you? Good, it was sounding a little bit like the worst of it is in Brooklyn. What's your sense of the state of things in Manhattan?

Well, the elect and rain tolls had high-rise registered rain so far in the city and central park at five and a quarter inches. Perhaps there's not as good monitoring in Brooklyn. I know it's been very bad there, but this has been an extreme rain event in Manhattan. I don't think we've seen five inches fall that quickly outside of a hurricane. This is really an extraordinary and dangerous event.

What in addition to what I just summarized from the mayor and the governor and the emergency services director, do you think are the most important things for people in our area to keep in mind?

Well, first of all, the subway system has largely been disrupted. Every line is either out of service or severely delayed. It's going to be very difficult to reset the system with more rain expected in the afternoon.

Actually, speaking to the governor shortly about this, they're working hard to get this up and running for the afternoon rush. They've got a backup system for buses. I'm particularly concerned about all the kids who are at school right now and worried about how we can get so many kids back home without a functioning subway system, particularly if there's heavy rain expected in the afternoon, which seems to be a distinct possibility.

What are some of the options for getting kids home if you even have any yet?

Well, at the moment, the MTA is saying they have a backup system of extensive bus lines to replace out of service subways. I don't know yet what that's going to look like expecting updates soon if that's going to indeed to be the backup plan.

I'm just hoping that we get a break on the rain. If indeed we get another two or three more inches, this is going to be challenging. By the way, Brian, your analogy to snow, one inch of rain is equivalent to one foot of snow.

So as people think about the scale of this, it's like we just got five feet of snow and they get two or three more in a single day.

I saw a report earlier that some after school programs are going on, some are canceled. Do you have anything more specific on that?

I've not gotten word on the system-wide decision on that. I think they're going to have a tough choice on whether to send people home or not if there's not a good transportation option. So we'll be waiting for word from the DOE.

What about afterwards when people start to realize how much damage may have been done to their properties? What is the best thing to do if they need assistance in fixing things up?

Well, first, it's important to determine whether you have a matter than an impact life and safety in which case you have to call 911.

Down trees can be a nuisance in which you would face you would call 3-1-1, but they can also really impact life and safety. For example, if they are

precariously hanging over a building and could harm someone if they fall. Also on the board to report obstruction of traffic signals as well.

I believe it wouldn't warrant the 911 call, but we have to report what they see out there.

Manhattan Bar President, Mark Levine, thank you very much for hopping on with us. And that's the Brian Lehrer Show for today. Great work by our whole team with a special coverage of the weather and the death of Diane Feinstein.

Mary Croakley, to Allison, to Minnesota, Carl Boyzrand, Esper Ronser Rosenbaum, Julianna Fonda, at the audio controls. I'm Brian Lehrer, stay safe out there and stay tuned for Allison.