NYC residents urged to FLEE basement apartments as post-Tropical Storm Ophelia sends life-threatening rainwater down on the city

• Ophelia was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone but was still anticipated to produce deadly surf
• NYC Emergency Management issued a travel advisory through Sunday night
• Commissioner Zach Iscol urged residents to stay vigilant

New Yorkers were warned to leave their basement apartments and prepare to seek higher ground as post-tropical cyclone Ophelia continued to hammer the East Coast with wet weather on Sunday. 

The latest named storm of the hurricane season is petering out after it made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina on Saturday with 70mph winds before battering New Jersey with 10ft waves and heavy rain.

New York City is now reeling from the final effects of Ophelia and Washington, DC, officials are also anticipating floods as they laid sandbags in flood-prone areas on Sunday.

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said: 'While the warmer summer days are behind us, New Yorkers should take precautions regarding the forecast for high winds and rain during our first fall weekend,' he said.

'This weekend’s weather is also a reminder that we are still in the middle of Atlantic Hurricane season and it is a great time to review your preparedness plan for your home or business, especially if you live in flood-prone areas.'

The press release contained tips on how to stay safe including the use of public transportation to prevent city dwellers from driving into flooded streets.

It also urged those living in basement apartments to prepare to move to higher ground in case of dangerous flooding.

Midtown Manhattan, Prospect Park and Harlem were projected to get 1.81, 1.71 and 1.41 inches of rain through Sunday night, respectively, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The agency warned of additional rainfall of one to three inches Monday morning, spreading across the northern Mid-Atlantic, southern parts of New York and southern New England.

Localized flash, urban, and small stream flooding as well as isolated river flooding were possible.

The NWS predicted steady light to moderate rain into Sunday night, with most of the rainfall occurring between 10am and 6 pm. Lingering showers were possible into Monday.

'Widespread areas of low lying and poor drainage flooding will be possible during periods of heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out,' the press release read.

It also warned of coastal hazards including 'a high risk of life-threatening rip currents, large breaking waves, and rough surf at Atlantic-facing beaches.'

As of Sunday, the biggest hazards in the area were rainfall and surf in New York, plus elevated water levels due to a storm surge in portions of the Chesapeake Bay.

Swells generated by the storm were expected to cause deadly waves and rip current conditions.

Despite the dismal rainy weather, New Yorkers flocked to Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on Saturday evening, braving sheets of rain to watch performers like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lauryn Hill.

On Sunday morning, 2,600 people lost power in North Carolina. That number was nearly doubled in New Jersey.

Ophelia was a tropical storm at near-hurricane strength when it crashed down near Emerald Isle in North Carolina on September 24. 

It knocking out power and flooded coastal streets. States of emergency were declared in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.