Hudson Valley hard hit by torrential downpours, flooding

BY PETER KATZ Pkatz@westfairinc.com

“Westchester faired much better than our neighbors in Orange and Rockland counties did, and there also was some damage in Putnam and a little bit in Dutchess, as well," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said on July 10 as the cleanup from the storms and flooding that hit the Hudson Valley on July 9 continued. Up to 10 inches of rain fell in some areas in what was described as a "thousand — year storm."

Latimer said that some communities in the northern part of the county were among the sections that were inundated, resulting in road and structure flooding and power outages.

"We were much more fortunate on this side of the Hudson and we're grateful for that," Latimer said.

On the morning of July 10, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and other officials went to Highland Falls, near West Point, which was especially hard hit.

"This was a frightening, life-threatening experience," Hochul said. She called the event an "incredible shock to this region."

Both Neuhaus and Hochul had declared states of emergency for Orange County due to flooding caused by the torrential rains. A woman died when she left her home in the town of Highlands as floodwaters were rising. She was swept into a ravine.

In Rockland, County Executive Ed Day reported that about 40 people were rescued from cars trapped in floodwaters. The Palisades Parkway and Route 9W were among the numerous roads that had sections closed due to flooding.

The CSX railroad freight line was flooded in about 10 locations and was out of service. Two local sewage treatment plants in the Highlands area suffered damage and residents were urged to boil water before use regardless of whether it came from private wells or the public water supply.

"I saw active duty army soldiers up to their bellies (in flood water)," Neuhaus said. "Easily, tens of millions of dollars in damage here."

Neuhaus praised good Samaritans who stopped to help people trapped in their cars. New York State Police led numerous drivers and passengers to safety when their cars stalled in deep water or were washed