Residents in parts of the Northeast woke up to a scene of devastation on Monday as torrential rain caused floods resulting in submerged cars, collapsed roads, and streets transformed into rushing rivers. Forecasters issued warnings for another day of heavy downpours, adding to the already dire situation.
Tragically, at least one person lost their life in the severe flooding that affected parts of New England. Disturbing footage emerged, capturing drivers stranded on flooded streets and sections of roads that had crumbled away, leaving behind dangerous gaps.
The downpour hit New York’s Hudson Valley particularly hard, with a staggering 8.12 inches of rain measured just west of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point. Shockingly, some radar estimates indicated nearly 10 inches of rainfall in the Hudson Valley near West Point. This amount is typically what the region receives throughout an entire summer, condensed into a single day.
In Highland Falls, a woman in her 30s tragically lost her life on Sunday when she was swept away by rapidly rising waters as she attempted to seek higher ground with her dog, as reported by Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus.
Flash floods in New York pic.twitter.com/MIess3lhYU
— Wovolve21 (@wovolve21) July 10, 2023
New York Governor Kathy Hochul promptly declared a state of emergency for Orange and Ontario counties on Sunday. In an unprecedented move, the National Weather Service issued a rare flash flood emergency for the Lower Hudson Valley, only the second time such an alert has been issued in recorded history.
Videos shared by residents depicted the terrifying scenes. One resident captured their backyard transformed into a waterfall during the deluge, while another recorded their flooded neighborhood street and a car seemingly stranded in the rising waters. Another video showcased a waterway overflowing with fast-moving currents that spilled onto local streets.
The Port Jervis Fire Department in western Orange County shared images of an overturned and abandoned vehicle submerged in water.
Pennsylvania also faced significant rainfall, with certain areas recording over half a foot of rain. Reading experienced its wettest July day ever on Sunday, with 5.35 inches of rain recorded. A resident shared a video of a blue sports car being swept away in floodwaters.
In Norfolk, Connecticut, crews assessed the damage, surveying roads and going door-to-door in affected areas. Video footage shared by Norfolk’s public information officer displayed floodwater rushing over Smith Road, causing the pavement to crumble near the intersection of Route 272. The Norfolk Office of Emergency Management reported an estimated 5 inches of rain falling within 90 minutes on Sunday, resulting in multiple road closures due to flooding or compromised culverts.
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Across parts of the Northeast and New England, including Hartford, Connecticut; Burlington, Vermont; and Albany, New York, approximately 14 million people were under flood alerts on Monday. Vermont and areas along the New York state border faced a high risk of flash flooding. A slow-moving storm system carrying tropical moisture was forecasted to generate a widespread 1 to 5 inches of rain in New England, with localized areas expecting as much as 8 to 12 inches. The already saturated soils heightened concerns of widespread flooding and damage.
