Home / Disasters and Accidents / Historic Floods Swamp NY: Homes Submerged, Roads Washed Out
Historic Floods Swamp NY: Homes Submerged, Roads Washed Out
30 Jul
Summary
- Torrential rains caused historic flooding across Capital Region and Hudson Valley.
- Water rescues and emergency declarations were prompted by overflowing creeks.
- Some areas received nearly 10 inches of rain, far exceeding forecasts.
Torrential rains, some of the heaviest since Tropical Storm Irene, have inundated eastern New York, leading to significant flooding. Communities in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley experienced overflowing creeks and overwhelmed storm sewers, resulting in submerged homes and stranded motorists.
Emergency services conducted numerous water rescues, and shelters were established for displaced residents. The National Weather Service reported rainfall totals approaching 10 inches in some areas, far exceeding the 2 to 4 inches initially predicted. This intense rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems and waterways.
Several areas experienced severe impacts, with roads closed and infrastructure damaged. In Albany, a wastewater pump station experienced flooding, raising concerns about sewage backups, though officials stated it would be repaired. Greene County declared a state of emergency, with some local officials noting the damage exceeded that of Tropical Storm Irene.
Further disruptions included canceled Amtrak service due to high water on tracks and the closure of a bridge in Saugerties. While the intense rain was expected to subside, lingering floodwaters and further intermittent showers were anticipated before conditions improved for damage assessment.
