Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand visited West Point earlier this week to urge President Biden to approve the Major Disaster declaration for New York communities impacted by the severe flash flooding that has rampaged through the Hudson Valley and communities across Upstate New York. The senators said New York State has requested hazard mitigation assistance statewide, Individual Assistance for Ontario and Orange counties and Public Assistance for Albany, Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland and Westchester counties.

Our immediate coverage area was spared the worst of last week’s storm, but our neighbors to the south weren’t quite as lucky. On July 9, 2023, the Hudson Valley region and much of southeastern New York was hit by up to eight inches of rain in less than 12 hours that caused catastrophic flash flooding, as well as the Finger Lakes and North Country regions where rain flooded homes, roads and businesses. On July 9, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for Orange County and Ontario County due to the impacts of the flooding. The following day, Governor Hochul expanded the state’s emergency declaration to include Clinton and Essex counties in the North Country, which comprises New York’s Adirondack region. Homes have been destroyed, roads and bridges washed away and tragically at least one person has died. Highland Falls has been hit particularly hard. Many roads in and out of the city have been damaged, including Routes 218 and 9W from Cornwall to West Point, the Palisades Interstate Parkway, the Bear Mountain Bridge and Popelopen Bridge. New York State Police advised that many of these road closures are expected to remain in effect for the foreseeable future. People were forced to swim to safety after becoming trapped in their cars on roadways. Rescue workers and first responders worked tirelessly throughout the night of July 9 and into July 10 to aid those in need, including completing more than 50 rescues in Orange County.

A more direct impact on our immediate area was felt by commuters. Metro North – Hudson Line train service was suspended for days between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie. Furthermore, the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry service was not operational for several days due to impacts of the storm.

With the worst of the flooding hopefully behind us, the State of New York is looking to the federal government for relief, not just for the lower Hudson Valley, but portions of the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes regions, as well as Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester Counties.

We hope that relief is on the way for our neighbors, and that we can count on the Federal Government to come to our rescue when our turn comes. And while we need some summer rains, hopefully they will come in moderation.