New Museum closes after flash flood as Legionnaires outbreak claims third NYC death

Heavy rain caused flash flooding in New York City, forcing the New Museum to shut its doors over the weekend. Water entered a gallery displaying WangShui’s installation, but staff reported no damage to artworks. The museum, which recently opened an $82 million OMA‑designed expansion, remained closed while repairs and drainage improvements were made.

At the same time, New York City’s Legionnaires’ disease outbreak recorded a third fatality, bringing the confirmed case count to 74 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Health officials detected Legionella bacteria in cooling towers of several cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Cooper Hewitt. While a single source has not been identified, cleaning and disinfection orders have been issued, and new infections have begun to decline.

City authorities continue to monitor both the museum’s infrastructure and the cooling‑tower remediation efforts to prevent further damage and health risks.