THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY in New York City was closed because of flooding caused by Hurricane Ida’s aftermath (Wikipedia/Tommy Gao).

The unexpected violent aftermath of Hurricane Ida slammed into the Northeast on Thursday, claiming at least 46 lives with its record-breaking downpour.

According to the Associated Press, Ida – downgraded from a hurricane, but still deadly – turned right and north after lashing the Gulf Coast, choking rivers and creating tornados. Among the 46 believed dead, 11 of them were drowned in flooded basement apartments in New York City. Another person was crushed by a falling tree.

The New York Times said some public officials are seeing the influence of climate change in unexpectedly severe weather events. “There are no more ‘unforeseeable events,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “We need to foresee these in advance and be prepared.”

Rainfall of three inches in an hour to a foot of rain over several hours were reported along the East Coast creating impromptu rivers along city streets and tornados smashes houses in New Jersey and knocked out power to over 200,000 homes.

Court won’t block Texas law; Demos will fight

UNITED STATES Supreme Court building (Flickr/Geoff Livingston).

The U.S Supreme Court late Wednesday turned aside an emergency petition from abortion providers to block a new Texas law drastically limiting the termination of pregnancies.

According to United Press International, the court voted 5-4 to not take up the matter, thus leaving the legislation in place. In the minority were Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberal justices.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) called the court’s action “a catastrophe” and said the House of Representatives would take up a bill to codify abortion rights as set out in the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973.

Legal challenges from women’s rights groups and others are expected as well.

Sports: Dodgers in first, Angels will face Texas

After a 4-3 come from behind win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday – along with the Sam Francisco Giants’ 5-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers – the Los Angele Dodgers are back atop the National League West by a half-game.

The Blue Crew has today (Thursday off) and will begin a crucial three-game series with the Giants in “The City” on Friday.

The Angels also have the day off, and will open a series Friday against the Texas Rangers, also on Friday.

Weather: Getting hotter and hotter

WARM WEATHER

Things will be warming up more and more as West Orange County heads into the weekend. Friday’s high is predicted to be 86, with an overnight low of 63.

The temperature will spike on Friday with a high of 93 (low of 66), with the heat tapering off to the mid 80s by midweek.

In the coastal area of Huntington Beach, daily highs will be seven to eight degrees cooler.