Hudson Valley Flooded: 1 Dead, Tracks & Roads Closed, More Rain Coming

Update: Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday afternoon that New York State's emergency declaration has been expanded to Rockland, Clinton, Essex and Oswego counties as well as Orange and Ontario due to catastrophic flood damage from severe storms Sunday.

"Oswego County is sustaining a flash flooding event as we speak.," she said at 2:15 p.m. "They're under a flash flood watch. They had an enormous amount of rain, three inches in 90 minutes just a few hours ago, so the water is accumulating in other places as well."

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Heavy rains flooded roads, halted trains and forced evacuations across the Northeast on Monday, and officials said one person in New York drowned as she tried to evacuate her home during a flash flood.

SEE: HV Floods: AG James Warns Consumers About Possible Price Gouging

Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said the woman who was in her 30s was swept away by flood waters along with her dog. Her remains were found at the bottom of a ravine. She has not been publicly identified: Woman Dies Trying To Evacuate Her Home During Flash Flood

The Hudson Valley, reeling from as much as 10 inches of rain on Sunday, should brace for more rain Monday and late in the week.

Highland Falls suffered significant damage to the whole community due to historic flooding. A woman in her 30s died from the flooding, Orange County officials said. The force of the flash flooding dislodged boulders, which rammed the woman’s house and damaged part of its wall, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus told The Associated Press. Two other people escaped.

"Her house was completely surrounded by water," he said. "She was trying to get through (the flooding) with her dog," he added, "and she was overwhelmed by tidal-wave type waves."

A State of Emergency for the town of Highlands remained in place Monday morning.

New York State also issued a state of emergency for Orange County for emergency actions to be allowed to save lives and mitigate property damage.

"Orange County experienced a 1-in-1,000-year weather event last night," Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted Monday morning. "The rain has subsided, but the crisis is not over."

She added: "I just toured the area — there's significant damage to homes, businesses, & infrastructure."

Hochul said they were grateful for federal support, and that she's spoken with FEMA, New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and the White House.

"We'll be requesting assistance for infrastructure repairs & @USACEHQ for help with any damage at West Point," she said.

The town of Yorktown declared a state of emergency, with roads flooded or washed out.

A flood watch was in effect Monday for Dutchess and Ulster counties. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible, the National Weather Service said.

SEE ALSO:

• People Trapped, Flooded Vehicles, Roads Collapse: HV Flood Timeline
• Hudson Valley Flooding: Putnam Declares State Of Emergency
  
• Woman Dies Trying To Evacuate Her Home During Flash Flood
  
• AG James Warns Consumers About Possible Price Gouging
• Yorktown Police Report Road Closures Monday
• Major Problems On Hudson Valley Roadways
• Torrential Rains Halt Train Travel In The Hudson Valley
• Flood Warnings For The Hudson Valley, Crisis In Orange County
• Ramapo River Flood Warning Extended For Orange, Rockland
• Major Problems On Hudson Valley Roads Monday

Excessive runoff from heavy rain may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Extensive street flooding is also possible.

There will be time to dry out. Here's the 5-day forecast based on Orange County from the NWS.

• Monday - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms this morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph this afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Tonight - Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Tuesday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Tuesday Night
• Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.
• Thursday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Thursday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Friday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Friday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Here's the next 48 hours at a glance:

New York state deployed five swift-water rescue teams and a high-axle vehicle to help with rescues in flooded areas on Sunday afternoon and evening. State police and other emergency responders rescued many.

This body-cam video was taken on Seven Lakes Dr, a short distance southwest of Long Mountain Traffic Circle in Orange County, a state police spokesman told Patch.

"There is swift moving water traversing perpendicularly across the roadway, at greatest depth, approximately 3ft. There are roughly 10 or so cars pinned in a position between two areas of flooding, & another batch of roughly 20 or so cars pinned by flooding further ahead. Large slabs of roadway are crumbled & missing. Multiple cars are seen swept into the woods by the moving water & several are seen half-buried in holes of collapsed road. The cars & their occupants are perilously close to the rising water."

West Point, home to the U.S. Military Academy, was severely flooded. Meteorologist Ben Nolls reported 10 inches of rain there. Officials worry some historic buildings might have water damage, the Associated Press reported.

"My friends, this is the new normal," said Hochul, in Highland Falls surveying the catastrophic damage on Monday. "We have to work to build up resiliency, to build up for the worst because the worst continues to happen," she said, reminding everyone that Buffalo received more snow in 24 hours this winter than ever in history. "These are unprecedented weather events that keep hitting us over and over and over again."

State emergency officials offered severe weather safety tips:

Disaster Supplies

• Have disaster supplies on hand, including:
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

Flash Flooding

• Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
• If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
• Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Lightning

• Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between when you see a flash of lightning and hear thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
• Lightning hits the tallest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly get below it and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
• If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

Tornado

• If outdoors and a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.
• If at home or in a small building, go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
• If in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.
• If in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators - use stairs instead.

For more information on personal preparedness and how to stay safe during severe weather, visit: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/safety-and-prevention.