Orange County flooding leaves 1 dead as torrential rain falls on Hudson Valley
Rain continued to batter an already severely damaged Hudson Valley on Monday morning after flooding killed at least one person.
Hours of heavy rain produced life-threatening flash flooding across the region on Sunday sparking flash flood warnings and a rare flood emergency.
A 35-year-old woman was killed in rushing floodwaters in Orange County. She was trying to escape her flooded house with her dog, but she was swept away and drowned.
“I had to help ambulances get in here, a number of them had to be turned away because of a number of cars that were abandoned or were stuck so unless you are a first responder, don’t come here,” said Steven Neuhaus, Orange County Executive.
Orange County officials said by 10 a.m. Monday that all other residents were believed to be accounted for.
Officials say the storm has already wrought tens of millions of dollars in damage. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said at a news conference Monday that the storm sent “cars swirling in our streets” and dumped a “historic” amount of rain.
“Nine inches of rain in this community,” Hochul said during a briefing on a muddy street in Highland Falls. “They’re calling this a ‘1,000 year event.'”
Shelters set up for victims
Emergency shelters are now in place to help those who were suddenly flooded out of their homes.
In Highland Falls, Orange County, where residents had story after story of rescues, rushing water, homes being washed away and more.
The Holiday Inn Express in town is now filled with people who needed a place to stay overnight and those passing through the area who were stranded in town due to road closures.
The hotel does not have running water but it does have power. They have brought in bottled water to hand out.
The Red Cross has also set up a shelter at Sacred Heart Church in the center of town. There were about a dozen people who spend the night in the shelter and others have come and gone throughout the day Monday to get water or grab something to eat.
Munger Cottage, located at 40 Munger Drive, in the Town of Cornwall, will be open to serve as a reception center for displaced residents.
Roads closed and travel impact
Many roads remain closed Monday due to the flooding:
-Route 218, Route 9, Route 9W, 9A, Route 293, Route 32, Route 6, Palisades in Orange County
-Route 202, Bronx River Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway, U.S. Route 6, Taconic State Parkway, Route 100 in Westchester County
-Route 22 in Ulster County
-Taconic State Parkway and Route 9D in Putnam County
-Taconic State Parkway, Route 9D in Dutchess County
-Palisades Parkway and 9W in Rockland County
The storm also interrupted air and rail travel. As of early Monday, there were hundreds of flight cancellations at Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports.
Amtrak suspended service between Albany and New York City, and approximately 90 Amtrak passengers were provided lodging at the Albany Rensselaer Train Station overnight. The Metro-North Hudson line service was suspended Monday to allow for inspection and repairs to track and infrastructure.
A section of Metro-North’s railroad tracks were impacted by the storm. Hudson Line service was suspended between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie due fallen trees and flood water.
Newburgh-Beacon Ferry service isn’t running Monday. Riders should consider traveling to Croton-Harmon station or take Harlem Line service at Southeast, Croton Falls and other stations along that line instead. Hudson Line tickets will be accepted on Harlem Line trains.
Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks were closed Monday due to road closures and flood issues.
Reports of damage
The extent of the destruction from the slow moving storm, which pounded the area with up to 8 inches of rain, won’t be known until residents and officials can begin surveying the damage. But officials said the storm had already wrought tens of millions of dollars in damage.
Cedar Pond Brook in Stony Point was a raging brook on Sunday. Normally, the brook looks like it should head under the road, but with the dangerous rainfall, it is going over the road and onto private properties, making driving — even walking — outdoors treacherous.
Roads were closed throughout the area due to flooding, and many roads were slick and underwater. Even if certain roads are passable, drivers are urged to be very careful.
Videos posted on social media showed parked vehicles in Stony Point surrounded by water.
The National Weather Service reported a portion of US 6 near Fort Montgomery, in Orange County, New York, collapsed west of the Palisades Interstate Parkway on Sunday evening.
“Downed wires, major flooding, it looks like the Colorado river running through here,” Neuhaus said.
Neuhaus says first responders have managed to successfully rescue dozens more people from life threatening situations.
In Putnam County, Carmel police posted video of washed out roads and warned of flooded roads throughout the community.
State of Emergency issued after Sunday damage
New York Govenor Kathy Hochul issued a State of Emergency in response to the conditions throughout Orange County.
The state deployed six swift-water rescue teams and a high-axle vehicle to help with rescues in flooded areas.
West Point, home to the U.S. Military Academy, was severely flooded. Officials worry some historic buildings might have water damage.
In New Rochelle, Westchester County, police reported two people were electrocuted on a railing and fell into the water. A Good Samaritan came to their rescue. Both taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The damage is expected to cost millions in repairs and take weeks, not days, in some parts.
Check the AccuWeather forecast for the very latest information.