Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Determined Woman Drains New York Expressway After Flooding All By Herself With A Traffic Cone

Determined Woman Drains New York Expressway After Flooding All By Herself With A Traffic Cone
@DaphneYouree/Twitter

A Brooklyn photographer cleared a clogged area of the Long Island Expressway (LIE) in New York using a traffic cone when lanes were closed due to flooding.


Parts of the city were flooded due to a heavy storm on Monday evening, with roads and some subway stations affected. A flooded area of the LIE left drivers at a standstill.

Daphne Youree unclogged several sewer grates when she was stuck in traffic with her son and cat on Monday evening.

In response to a warning from the Emergency Management Department of severe flooding in Queens, Youree responded, “guess what. I cleared it!"

“There was a huge storm with heavy rain – really bad conditions. When we got to exit 25 on the Long Island Expressway I noticed a huge amount of water up ahead. I saw cars attempting to go through. I also saw a car pulled over to the side," Youree told PA.

“I decided as I am curious and not one to sit and wait around that I would assess the situation and see if I could get some answers. I walked up to some guys who were trying to figure out if we could drive through on one side. They said that someone with sandals should go through. People don't want to ruin their fancy shoes. My Crocs sandals took a beating but saved my feet!"

“I walked through the highway lake and it was mostly above my knees. Not passable. Then someone said it looks like the drain is clogged. So I found a nearby cone and started digging," Youree said.

“There were many people around filming and watching – all very happy that someone took charge… Then eventually some guys helped; we moved to the second grate and then we did the third. So me and two guys basically cleared the highway!"

Youree then shared footage of the flood to Twitter, where New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson thanked her for her efforts.

“Thanks Daphne for being a Good Samaritan and great New Yorker," he tweeted on Tuesday.

“It's always been my way to jump right in and get my hands dirty without even thinking about it. I'm shocked this has received so much attention, but happy that it's positive," she said. “Everyone cheered when I finished and the water rapidly disappeared! The cars moved and we all got home, which is all I wanted for my kid and cat."

More from Trending/funny-news

Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less