'Severe Flooding' In Town Of Smithtown: Damage, Rescues, Fires

TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown received approximately 10 inches of rain from a torrential downpour, the town reported. Heavy rains and flash flooding impacted the township on Sunday night and early Monday.

Sunday night's torrential rain led to a long string of stranded motorists and emergency water rescues, as well as flooded basements, closed roads and even a small landslide reported across Long Island, according to the National Weather Service.

"We were fortunate in comparison to surrounding towns and villages, thanks to proactive measures and recent upgrades made to stormwater and drainage infrastructure, elevated roadways, and state-of-the-art engineering to some of Smithtown’s most vulnerable areas," Supervisor Edward Wehrheim stated in a news release.

Wehrheim commended the town's crews that worked throughout the night: public safety, parks, and highway teams worked to clear, assess and repair the damage. Wehrheim also thanked the town's volunteer fire departments, FRES, its office of emergency management, and fire marshals.

The Smithtown Fire Department alone responded to nearly 50 calls in a 12-hour period related to the storm because of "severe flooding," according to public information officer Rick Torre. The department was called for 21 flooding cases; 10 automatic house alarms; eight water rescues; six ambulance assistances; three structure fires and one working fire. Several calls came from motorists trapped because of the level of water in the streets, the department said.

No serious injuries were reported by the Smithtown Fire Department, but there was "extensive damage to many homes and businesses" in the area, according to the department.

A St. Nicholas Avenue home was hit by lightning, causing a fire. The blaze was contained to the attic and controlled in a short time, according to Torre.

"The amount of and complexity of all the alarms were handled swiftly and professionally by the men and women of the Smithtown Volunteer Fire Department," the department stated.

Smithtown Public Safety used its drone to help guide the Smithtown Fire Department boat to rescue two people who were stranded from a home.

"The level of communication, bravery and teamwork over these past 24 hours has been extraordinary," Wehrheim said. "I would also like to commend our County Executive, Ed Romaine for leaping into action immediately to declare a State of Emergency for the area."

Multiple roads are closed as of Monday afternoon.

• Maple Ave is closed because of road flooding from Wildwood Lane to Darling Avenue. Use an alternative route.
• North Country Road from Mills Pond road all the way up north, is closed and impassable due to flooding. Use an alternative route.
• West Main Street in Smithtown from Maple to Edgewood avenues is closed because of flooding. Use an alternate route.

"Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road," the town stated. "Turn around and go another way."

The town said six inches of fast moving flood water can knock a person off their feet. A depth of two feet of water will float a car.

"Never try to walk, swim or drive through such swift water," the town stated. "Keep children from playing in floodwaters or near culverts and storm drains."

Wehrheim urged residents to access the Town of Smithtown Mobile App for notifications regarding road detours, areas to avoid and updates on the storm cleanup.

"We will not stop until flooding concerns have been addressed, the roads are clear, and our residents can safely resume daily routines," Wehrheim said.

A flash flood warning was issued across the area until just before 5 a.m., which has since been rescinded, officials said. During the height of the storm, the NWS's New York office reported "torrential rainfall" across central and eastern Long Island with "multiple water rescues."

The flooding caused damage to township properties.

The headwaters of the Nissequogue have crested at Paul T. Given Park, according to Wehrheim. Councilman Tom Lohmann, Superintendent Robert Murphy and the town's emergency response teams are working with Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) to alleviate water conditions before the river can crest over 25A.

The basement of the building next to the park — formerly the Oasis — has flooded up to the first floor. Smithtown’s Parks Department is working to remove accumulated debris under the cul de sac to alleviate rising waters. This will also allow the MTA to get into their property to inspect the train trestle, the town stated.

Train service is currently suspended between Port Jefferson and Kings Park in both directions because of flooding from the Nissequogue River west of Smithtown.

The Smithtown Highway Department, along with Deputy Superintendent Jim Duetch, are working with Suffolk County Parks to mitigate flooding and ensure the culvert remains stable.

Both areas (Paul T. Given Park and Millers Pond) are of "critical importance to address," as more rainfall is predicted for this afternoon, Wehrheim said.

Smithtown Town Hall took in nearly four feet of water in the basement and is running on backup power, according to Wehrheim. The Smithtown Parks Department is cleaning the hall.

The Parks Department building in Kings Park sustained flooding damage to the shop area, and vehicles were badly flooded.

The town estimates nearly 50 trees were either uprooted or fell. Highway crews are currently working to remove these trees from the roadways.

Landing Country and Golf Club sustained washouts and drainage issues in addition to damage on the ninth hole of the course.

Boaters with vessels in slips and the town mooring fields should ensure that lines are secured, as some boats have come loose, officials said.

The bathroom area at Whitman Hollow sustained some flooding issues. Parks Crews have already been dispatched to handle cleanup.

Callahan’s Beach only sustained a few down trees as of this morning.

"The incredible state of the art engineering of the rebuild had its first real test and aced with flying colors," Wehrheim said.

The elevation of Long Beach Road also handled extreme rain without incident, the town said. No flooding was reported.

Highway crews are working with PSEG Long Island to clear the roads of any remaining trees safely and have begun hauling debris and brush away. The Highway Department, led by Murphy, has cleanup crews assigned to every hamlet.

Residents should attempt to keep all brush, tree branches and storm debris clear from blocking fire hydrants and storm drains, the town stated.

The town's public safety department and fire marshals reminded residents using generators to confirm that the exhaust is facing outwards and at least 20 feet away from a building, to prevent CO poisoning and fires caused by incorrectly positioned generators.

As of Monday morning, there are less than 20 homes within the township without power, the town stated.

To report and receive status updates on an outage, people can text OUT to PSEG Long Island (773454); or to report an outage online, visit here.

Downed wires should always be considered "live," the town warned.

"Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything contacting the wire," the town stated. "To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 1-800-490-0075."

If there is an emergency, the town asked residents to dial 911 immediately. All non life-threatening calls can be directed to the Smithtown Department of Public Safety at 631-360-7553.

The town asked residents to check on neighbors living with disabilities, special needs or senior citizens.

"Make sure they have an emergency phone, plenty of water, food and blankets. Ask if they have someone to call in the event of an emergency. If further intervention is required please contact the Senior Citizens Department at 631-360-7616 or the Office for People with Disabilities at 631-360-7642.

Smithtown animal control officers are ready to respond to calls for wildlife in distress or to report lost pets. To report animals in distress, strays or other loose domestic or wild animals, people can call 631-360-7575.

In collaboration with affected counties, New York state has developed an online form allowing residents to self-report damages to their homes and/or businesses. The purpose of this form is solely to collect information that may help State and local officials identify supplemental damages to develop and augment potential requests for available federal assistance programs.