Severe flooding caused by heavy rain in New York's Hudson Valley has resulted in the loss of at least one life, widespread road closures, and significant damage. As the storm moved eastward, flash flood warnings were extended into neighbouring Connecticut and Massachusetts, with the potential for up to 127mm (5 inches) of rainfall in some areas.
Rescue teams in the Hudson Valley are working to recover the body of a woman in her 30s who tragically drowned while attempting to evacuate her home. Two others managed to escape the flooding. The force of the flash floods also caused boulders to dislodge, crashing into the woman's house and damaging its wall. Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus described the scene as her home being completely surrounded by water, and the woman being overwhelmed by powerful waves reminiscent of a tidal wave.
The full extent of the destruction caused by the slow-moving storm, which brought up to 200mm (8 inches) of rain to the region, will only be known once daylight arrives and assessments can be made. Preliminary estimates already suggest tens of millions of dollars in damages. New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed reports of missing individuals and one home being washed away.
6.96 inches of rain has fallen at West Point Military Academy in southern New York state over the past 3 hours. Based on precipitation frequency estimates from Atlas-14, this would easily constitute a 1000-year flood event for the location. Incredible. #NYwx pic.twitter.com/qpXsPp4d4P
While some parts of New York have been hit harder than others, officials are warning communities in the eastern part of the state to prepare for torrential rains and potential flash flooding. Residents in the storm's path have been strongly advised to stay off the roads due to the extraordinary amount of water and the ongoing danger it presents.
Governor Hochul expressed confidence in overcoming the situation but acknowledged that it would be a challenging night ahead. With the storm's impacts continuing to unfold, the focus will shift to assessing the aftermath and initiating recovery efforts to support the affected communities.
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