HUDSON VALLEY

off roads.

The flooding caused Metro-North service to be suspend ed between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie, with buses pressed into service for commuters. MetroNorth service was restored as of the morning of July 12. Amtrak service between New York City and Albany was suspended as work crews labored to rebuild sections of track roadbed that had been washed away by the flood waters. Hochul said that about 800 people were stranded on trains Sunday night.

Hochul said that the federal government's FEMA has pledged to provide all assistance necessary. She also said that she spoke with the White House and U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. She said the senators pledged to help bring federal aid to the area. Hochul said that officials from West Point offered to provide whatever assistance they could.

Hochul said that Schumer pledged that federal infrastructure dollars would be made available for repairs to roadways, bridges and local facilities.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler added his voice, saying, “It's incumbent on all of our federal, state and local elected officials to work together in order to assess the damage. It's clear, based on initial assessments, that we are looking at tens of millions of dollars in damage here, and we all need to work together in order to ensure that the full force of OEM and FEMA are able to help with recovery efforts."

Metro-North work train stabilizes roadbeds along Hudson River tracks. Schumer, Gillibrand and Rep. Pat Ryan, who is a graduate of West Point, in a joint statement called for flood remediation work to begin immediately at the military academy.

"Academic buildings, portions of the cadet barracks and privatized family housing have experience flooding," their joint statement said. "Many of the buildings on campus are historic, reflecting West Point’s more than two—hundred—year history of military excellence. Stony Lonesome Gate was a vantage point for Revolutionary war soldiers stationed at the steep outpost; now a gate to West Point, the exit lane has washed away, bringing the access point down to one lane.

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Office of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center in order to receive local requests for assistance. Neuhaus said it was impossible to come up with a count of the number of incidents that took place because so many were "spur of the moment." Four state Swift Water Rescue teams were deployed to assist with local flood rescue efforts. State personnel were sent to the Orange County Emergency Operations Center to facilitate local requests for assistance.

There were more than 12,000 power outages reported in Putnam, Dutchess, Albany, Ulster and Orange counties as a result of the storm.

Hochul said that because of advance warnings about the heavy rains moving in there were approximately 9,000 first responders and workers ready to jump into action when the floods hit. She warned of additional flooding during the week in parts of New York state as rain lingered and rivers continued to rise.