Building Collapse, Closed Roads In Wake Of Torrential Rains, Violent Thunderstorms

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Much of the region is still digging out, after strong storms along with heavy rains flooded roadways, stranded motorists and even led to a partial building collapse.

Stretches of the Saw Mill Parkway and the Bronx River Parkway remained closed throughout the morning rush hour after being overtaken by flood waters early Monday evening.

Westchester officials reported calls from roadways across the county for vehicles submerged in water, leading to water rescues.

In Putnam County, the severe weather hit the Patterson area especially hard, dumping about 5 inches of rain in less than 2 hours. The deluge quickly caused flash flooding of rivers and overwhelming of storm drains.

The Patterson Fire Department reported a high volume of emergency calls in a very short amount of time.

Fire officials said the bulk of the calls came in just after 4 p.m., including several fire alarms, transformer fires, trees down, road hazards with cobblestone-sized rocks strewn across major roadways from water washout.

See: Hudson Valley Flooding: Meteorologists Predict When The Region Will Dry Out

With foot-deep water in some locations, several roads, including Rte 22 and Haviland Hollow Road, were ordered temporarily closed.

A building on Jon Barrett Road partially collapsed during the downpour. The building was completely empty at the time and nobody was injured, fire officials reported on social media.

In Rockland County, the Clarkstown Police Department reported heavier than normal call volume during the storm. Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann said the town had 5.32 inches of rain in just five hours by 10:30 p.m. last night.

This resulted in flooding in some low-lying areas. The only remaining road closure in Clarkstown is Route 59 eastbound in West Nyack, which was closed by New York State DOT around 4 a.m. During the storm, there was flooding in Nanuet in several parking lots damaging vehicles and on Route 59.

Some drivers attempted to drive through floodwaters in town, leaving the vehicles stranded, and the Nanuet Fire Department forced to rescue the motorists.

There is no rain in the immediate forecast for the Hudson Valley. The welcome weather report with seasonably high temperatures is expected to help speed cleanup efforts without the threat of additional flooding on the horizon.