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New York City issues flash flood warnings; devastating impact ensues.
Overnight, authorities in New York City issued flash flood warnings, urging residents in basement apartments to relocate to higher floors and advising all New Yorkers to avoid road travel. The city emphasized that heavy rainfall significantly threatened low-lying areas and those with inadequate drainage systems.
What Happened at Hudson Valley, New York
The Hudson Valley region in southeastern New York bore the brunt of the storm’s impact by Sunday evening. State Senator James Skoufis reported one storm-related fatality in the town of Highlands, with ongoing efforts to assess further casualties as essential infrastructure and homes were washed away. In some instances, entire roads were not only impassable but destroyed.Â
The nearby U.S. Army Garrison at West Point experienced flooded and washed-out roads, leading to an urgent plea for people to stay home. Orange County and Rockland County recorded rainfall ranging from 5 to 8 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Recognizing the floods as life-threatening, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for Orange and Ontario counties on Sunday night. In Orange County alone, nearly 13,000 residents were left without power due to the storms. The National Weather Service warned that torrential downpours could trigger flash flooding in Manhattan and the Bronx, with an inch of rain having already fallen and an additional one to two inches anticipated.
This severe flooding event follows the devastating deluge caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, which resulted in 44 deaths across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, with 16 occurring in New York City. The city’s inadequate infrastructure and drainage systems played a significant role in its vulnerability to such flooding incidents.
New York Floods and its Impact
The impact of the severe weather extended beyond the immediate dangers of flooding. Amtrak temporarily halted services between New York City and Albany, while Newark and LaGuardia airports experienced disruptions to flight schedules. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus issued a Facebook update from the Highland Falls area, urging residents to refrain from unnecessary travel due to the emergencies unfolding. Numerous roads were submerged, and reports of mudslides emerged from Cornwall, another town in Orange County. The emergency services office warned that travel was impossible and advised residents to seek higher ground for safety.
State troopers assisted stranded motorists on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Rockland County, reporting a dire situation with crumbling roads. Disturbing images shared by the New York State Police showcased vehicles submerged on the highway and significant road damage. The William Moreau Popolopen Bridge in Highland Falls became impassable, and multiple road closures persisted. Governor Hochul expressed concerns about potential consecutive days of flooding, highlighting that most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles rather than homes. Meteorologist and PhD student Craig Ceecee characterized the torrential rain in the lower Hudson Valley as a once-in-a-thousand-year rainfall event on Twitter.
Another meteorologist pointed out that the region received a month’s worth of rain within just a few hours. Ben Noll, a meteorologist originally from the Hudson Valley but based in New Zealand, highlighted the increased risk of heavy rainfall due to the warming climate in the #HudsonValley. He emphasized that a warmer atmosphere heightens the probability of heavier rainfall, thereby contributing to an increased risk of extreme rainfall rates and subsequent flash flooding. The National Weather Service cautioned that flash flood threats could extend to Vermont on Monday, prompting Governor Phil Scott to declare a state of emergency in anticipation of the storms and potential flooding.
In conclusion, New York City faced flash flood warnings that resulted in devastating consequences, including loss of life, emergencies, and significant infrastructure damage. The impact was particularly severe in the Hudson Valley, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure resilience and preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
Reference: Heavy rain leads to flash floods in N.Y., killing 1 and prompting emergency
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