Manhattan in Darkness...here come the rats.

Manhattan in darkness, 14ft flooding and infrastructure grinds to a halt... and now come the rats

Rats scurrying to escape rising floodwaters in New York could spread diseases as they infest new areas, according to a nature expert.

A 13ft wall of water caused by the storm surge and high tides have caused severe flooding to subways and road tunnels in the city and torrents of water poured into city streets.

The rising water will force rats out of their underground lairs and into contact with humans, according to Rick Ostfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Milbrook, New York, speaking to The Huffington Post.