'Catastrophic' Damage As Stony Brook Road Collapses, Duck Pond Drains

STONY BROOK, NY —Mother Nature's wrath descended upon Long Island Sunday night with torrential rain, leaving motorists needing rescue and basements swamped with water, and sparking major flooding and road closures.

One of the hardest hit communities was Stony Brook, where Harbor Road collapsed, leaving homes and roadways devastated — and the duck pond completely emptied and wildlife in peril, officials said.

"Catastrophic damage on Harbor Road in Stony Brook due to significant rainfall early this morning," Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico posted on social media. He said there was flooding across the North Shore, and "extensive damage to roadways and homes."

This morning, Panico was at the scene with emergency Suffolk County fire personnel, county officials and Brookhaven town officials.

"The entire Mill Pond at the Avalon Nature Preserve emptied across the now-collapsed roadway," he said.

The Avalon Nature Preserve issued a statement online Monday: "An important message to Preserve visitors. Avalon Nature Preserve will be closed until further notice. We appreciate your understanding during this time as our maintenance crew removes debris and repairs trails throughout the preserve."

According to the National Weather Service, Stony Brook was one of the hardest-hit areas on Long Island, with9.55 inches of rain reported.

One animal advocate rushed to the scene to help the wildlife displaced when the pond emptied into Stony Brook Harbor.

( Courtesy Frankie Floridia, Strong Island Animal Rescue)

"Strong Island Animal Rescue was on scene and is on call, with boots on the ground rescues for any animals that are in distress from this incident," said Frankie Floridia, president of the organization.

So far, Floridia said his group he has been able to save a few turtles that were stuck. "And a family of ducks that got separated — we were able to help them get reunited," he said.

But the situation remains dire for wildlife, Floridia said. "The danger is that habitat, which is home to thousands of animals, is gone. There's nowhere for them to find food or nest. Turtles and fish that were in fresh water are now in salt water — and most will die."

"All of the wildlife, such as the fish and turtles, washed out during the collapse of the roadway," Panico said. "Mill Pond is now empty."