1 Woman Dies Trying To Evacuate Her Home During Flash Flood

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — One person died Sunday because of the torrential rains that tore through the region, severely impacting Orange County and the town of Highlands.

Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus told WABC-TV that a woman in her 30s, whose name has not been released, was swept away by flood waters while she was trying to evacuate her home with her dog, The Associated Press reported.

He said her remains were found at the bottom of a ravine.

The force of the flash flooding dislodged boulders, which rammed the woman’s house and damaged part of its wall, Neuhaus told the AP. Two other people were able to escape.

At a news conference with Governor Kathy Hochul in the town of Highlands Monday morning, Neuhaus said that the damage in Highlands was likely to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

He said county personnel have finished responding to emergency calls, adding that as of Monday morning, there were no search missions for missing people.

“Right now we are in the repair and recovery phase,” Neuhaus said.

New York State issued a state of emergency for Orange County for emergency actions to be allowed to save lives and mitigate property damage. A state of emergency for the town of Highlands remains in place.

An emergency shelter was established at Sacred Heart Church, 353 Main St. in Highland Falls.

Neuhaus said the shelter will stay open until people stop showing up.

He said that 911 should continue to be used for emergencies. For non-emergency calls, the public should use 311.

“We will get to every person that needs help,” Neuhaus said.