Hudson Valley Flood: Torrential Rain Damages Passenger, Freight Tracks

UPDATE: Due to heavy rains and flash flooding in the Northeast, a segment of CSX track between Selkirk, New York, and New Jersey experienced some washout, company officials said.

Customers are advised to expect delays of at least 24 hours on the River Line subdivision as the company monitors local conditions and evaluate potential reroutes.

"Safety is the highest priority at CSX and measures to protect employees, rail traffic and infrastructure are being taken, including repositioning assets and identifying alternative routings that may be required for some traffic," company officials told Patch.

SEE ALSO:

• AG James Warns Hudson Valley Consumers About Possible Price Gouging After Floods
• Hudson Valley Flooding: Putnam Declares State Of Emergency

UPDATE: Bus service will replace Metro-North Railroad service halted by the severe rainfall in the Hudson Valley in time for the Monday afternoon peak, MTA officials announced.

Metro-North will have limited bus service on the Hudson Line, between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie stations for essential travelers. Buses will depart from Croton-Harmon on a load-and-go basis, making stops at Cortlandt, Beacon and Poughkeepsie. Bus service is expected to start at 1 p.m.

Buses replaced train service on the Upper Harlem Line at 10 a.m., following a suspension north of Southeast on Monday morning due to obstructions on the tracks. Buses will depart from Southeast on a load-and-go basis, making all station stops to Wassaic.

"Last night the Hudson Valley received a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours, having a severe impact on Metro-North tracks," Metro-North Railroad President and LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said in the announcement. "Crews continue to work around the clock, and to limit the impact on customers we were able to secure limited bus service to Poughkeepsie and Wassaic. For those traveling through impacted areas, continue to monitor TrainTime and allow extra time for travel."

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Torrential rain — 10 inches was measured at West Point, according to reports — flooded, undermined, and brought so much debris onto train tracks across the region that sections became impassable Sunday.

One train became stuck at Manitou Station in Garrison Sunday afternoon, forcing emergency responders to evacuate hundreds of terrified passengers, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Pat Ryan said in a news release.

SEE:

• AG James Warns Consumers About Possible Price Gouging
• Flood Warnings For The Hudson Valley, Crisis In Orange County
• Hudson Valley Flooded: 1 Dead, Trains & Roads Closed, More Rain Coming
• Ramapo River Flood Warning Extended For Orange, Rockland
• 1 Woman Dies Trying To Evacuate Her Home During Flash Flood

Metro-North Railroad service between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie was suspended Sunday night, and is expected to remain unavailable at least through the day Monday.

Metro-North also suspended service on the Harlem Line between Southeast and Wassaic. Stations north of Southeast have no service at least through the morning hours due to high water above running rail in sections of track and a washout on the right of way south of Dover in Dutchess County.

Crews are working to evaluate damage and clear tracks of fallen trees, mud, boulders, and water that in places has risen above running rails. Some areas are being inspected for possible washout conditions to ensure the integrity of the railroad right of way.

More severe weather is expected overnight which may delay clearing and required repairs, MTA officials said.

The CSX tracks on the west side of the Hudson River were flooded out in many areas. This photo shows the tracks just below where Route 2018 collapsed (second photo) as torrents of rain poured off the ridge.

Highland Falls suffered significant damage to the whole community due to historic floods. There was one confirmed fatality in the storm and emergency officials remained on scene to conduct damage assessments at this time, Orange County officials said.

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.

This is a breaking news story, check back with Patch for updates.