Extreme Flooding Overwhelms New York Roadways, Killing 1 Person

NEW YORK (AP) Heavy rain spawned extreme flooding in New Yorks Hudson Valley that killed at least one person, swamped roadways and forced road closures on Sunday night, as much of the rest of the Northeast U.S. began bracing for potentially punishing rains.

As the storm moved east, the National Weather Service extended flash flood warnings into Connecticut, including the cities of Stamford and Greenwich, before creeping into Massachusetts. Forecasters said some areas could get as much as 5 inches (12 centimeters) of rain.

In New Yorks Hudson Valley, rescue teams were attempting to retrieve the body of a woman in her 30s who drowned after being swept away while trying to evacuate her home. Two other people escaped.

The force of the flash flooding dislodged boulders, which rammed the womans house and damaged part of its wall, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus told The Associated Press.

Her house was completely surrounded by water, he said.

She was trying to get through (the flooding) with her dog, he added, and she was overwhelmed by tidal-wave type waves.

With heavy rainfall expected across the state, I urge New Yorkers to remain prepared especially those in the Hudson Valley & Capitol Region where there is increased flash flood risk.

Take precautions, monitor forecasts & sign up for emergency alerts at https://t.co/ELyoVQXm1n.

Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 9, 2023","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Governor Kathy Hochul","author_url":"https://twitter.com/GovKathyHochul","cache_age":86400,"description":"With heavy rainfall expected across the state, I urge New Yorkers to remain prepared especially those in the Hudson Valley & Capitol Region where there is increased flash flood risk.Take precautions, monitor forecasts & sign up for emergency alerts at https://t.co/ELyoVQXm1n. 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With heavy rainfall expected across the state, I urge New Yorkers to remain prepared especially those in the Hudson Valley & Capitol Region where there is increased flash flood risk.

Take precautions, monitor forecasts & sign up for emergency alerts at https://t.co/ELyoVQXm1n .
Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 9, 2023

The extent of the destruction from the slow moving storm, which pounded the area with up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain, wont be known until after sunrise, when residents and officials can begin surveying the damage. But officials said the storm had already wrought tens of millions of dollars in damage.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed to WCBS radio that several people were missing and one home was washed away.

The rains have hit some parts of New York harder than others, but officials said communities to the east of the state should brace for torrential rains and possible flash flooding.

Officials urged residents in the line of the storm to stay off the roads.

The amount of water is extraordinary and its still a very dangerous situation, Hochul said.

Well get through this, she said, but added its going to be a rough night.

The governor declared a state of emergency Sunday for Orange County, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of New York City. She later extended the state of emergency to Ontario County in western New York, southeast of Rochester.

We are in close communication with local officials and state agencies are participating in search and rescue efforts, she said.

The state deployed five swift-water rescue teams and a high-axle vehicle to help with rescues in flooded areas.