STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — “It was like the oceans had just opened up, it happened so fast, next thing I know we’re in the middle of this massive flood with nowhere way to go,” said Anthony Padalino of Westerleigh, recounting his harrowing experiences Wednesday night when remnants of Hurricane Ida caught many borough resident by surprise.
Padalino and his brother, Sergio, had just finished dinner at PastaVino in Tompkinsville, and as they made their way back to his car, they were suddenly met with rising flood waters from Ida.
“One minute we were in the restaurant, the next [minute] my brother and I were chest-deep in freezing water,” Paladino said. “It’s like it caved in on us. We couldn’t do anything.”
Despite managing to get to his vehicle, a 2020 Lincoln Corsair, the duo quickly realized that they had to abandon the car, which was parked on nearby Front Street, as water began to seep through the doors. With no place to go, the brothers decided to swim back toward the restaurant.
Padalino's 2020 Lincoln Corsair is submerged in water on Front Street. (Courtesy of Anthony Padalino)(Courtesy/Anthony Padalino)
“We were trying to make our way back, but we soon realized that we might be in trouble and needed help,” he said.
The two were afraid of possible electrocution from falling wires. After noticing his brother beginning to struggle, Paladino called 911.
The Westerleigh resident, a respiratory therapist at Staten Island University Hospital, said he was concerned for his brother, who suffers from high blood pressure and had begun exhibiting symptoms of a panic attack.
Fortunately for the brothers, Police Officers Christian Pinez and Matt Greico of the 120th Precinct responded to their 911 call.
“The two officers came over and they helped us get out of there,” he said. “Our clothes were completely soaked; we were both just so grateful that they were able to get to us. Our lives were in danger, I just can’t thank them enough.”
Officers tended to Sergio Padalino, gave the brothers warm towels to dry off, and ensured them that everything would be OK, and they were safe. The two officers later drove them back to Padalino’s home.
Padalino reiterated that the officers saved their lives and deserve recognition for their efforts that night.
“My brother and I were in a scary, traumatic situation,’' he said. “I’m grateful for those guys and thankful to be alive. I’m sure they were overwhelmed with calls that night, but to do what they did — they’re heroes.”
Ida, Wednesday night, deposited record-setting rainfall and left behind scores of totaled cars, downed trees and countless homes severely damaged by water.
The storm, which had been downgraded to a tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center on Monday, had killed at least nine people citywide as of Friday evening. Much of the New York City subway system was deemed inoperable Wednesday night following massive flooding on tracks and in stations; major roadways throughout the city were also closed.
Padalino, reflecting on his experience, said it is sobering to think of what might of happened had those officers not been there that night. He added that his home in Westerleigh was spared from the rising flood waters, but he knows people who were not so fortunate.
“My prayers go out to everyone who experienced loss in this devastating storm,” he said.
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Heroic rescue: Police save trapped Westerleigh brothers from raging waters during Hurricane Ida flooding - SILive.com
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