Heavy rains caused deadly flooding in New York state on Sunday, washing away bridges and turning streets into raging rivers, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency.
A woman was killed when she was swept away by a flash flood as she tried to escape her Hudson Valley home with her dog.
By Monday, “a significant flood threat with a high risk of excessive rainfall is expected across much of New England,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said in a tweet.
As the storm moved east, the NWS extended flash flood warnings to Connecticut, including the cities of Stamford and Greenwich, before reaching Massachusetts. Forecasters said some areas could receive up to 5 inches (12 cm) of rain.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in Orange County, northwest of New York City, and in Ontario County, in the center of the state. Rainfall of up to 8 inches (20 cm) created “life-threatening conditions due to flash flooding,” Hochul explained.
“We are in close communication with local officials and state agencies are participating in search and rescue efforts,” he said.
The state deployed five swiftwater rescue teams and a high-axle vehicle to assist with rescues in flooded areas.
Some videos posted on social media showed the extent of the flooding, with streams of brownish torrents rushing right past homes and roads washed out by fast-moving cascading flows.
The governor’s office reported that by Sunday night more than 12,000 users had no power. On the morning of this Monday, according to Poweroutage, there were 4,600 customers without service.
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In New York’s Hudson Valley, rescue teams were trying to recover 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 flood sent rocks crashing into the woman’s home and damaging part of the wall, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus told The Associated Press.
“His house was completely surrounded by water,” he said. “She was trying to get through (the flood) with her dog,” she added, “and she was overwhelmed by tidal waves.”
Still without a detailed assessment of the actual extent of the storm’s destruction, authorities said damage was in the tens of millions of dollars.
With information from AFP and AP.
2023-07-10 09:33:00
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