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July 2023 Northeastern United States floods

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July 2023 Northeastern United States floods
Map of rainfall accumulations in the NWS Burlington's area of responsibility (Vermont and far northeastern New York) for the period July 9–11
CauseHeavy rains
Meteorological history
DurationJuly 9, 2023 – present
Flood
Maximum rainfall9.61 in (244.1 mm)
Overall effects
Fatalities7
Missing2
Areas affectedNortheastern United States (particularly New York and Vermont)

A significant flash flood event occurred in the Northeastern United States from July 9 to 11, 2023, leading to widespread damage across multiple states in the Mid-Atlantic, with the heaviest and most destructive flash flooding centered around northern New England, specifically Vermont. Across the affected areas, numerous roads and bridges were washed out, and dozens of water rescues were conducted. Downtown Montpelier was flooded, and numerous state roads around the city were closed.

Meteorological history

The Weather Prediction Center’s excessive rainfall outlook for July 10. This outlook included a rare Level 4–High Risk for most of Vermont.

Preparations

A mesoscale discussion from the Weather Prediction Center showing the risk of life-threatening flash floods during July 16.

Vermont

On July 9, 2023, Vermont governor Phil Scott issued a state of emergency.[1] On July 10, the Weather Prediction Center issued their first ever high risk for flash flooding in the NWS Burlington coverage zone.[2] The same day, residents in Montpelier were urged to evacuate low-lying areas and areas near the Winooski River.[3] On July 11, water levels at the Wrightsville Dam crested, threatening to burst the dam or necessitating to open a spillway. By evening levels receded.[4]

New York

New York governor Kathy Hochul urged people to be aware of the weather and road conditions.[5]

Impacts

New York

A flooded road in Orange County, New York overlooking the Hudson River

Flooding occurred at the United States Military Academy, inundating vehicles and forcing drivers to swim out of them. Multiple water rescues, mudslides, and flooded roads prompted the town of Cornwall to issue a No Travel Advisory.[6] Portions of U.S. Route 9W and Palisades Interstate Parkway were washed out or collapsed and closed.[7] Portions of New York State Route 218 were totally washed away by the floods.[8] Areas near the Hudson River and in the Hudson Valley were flooded as a rare flash flood emergency was issued.[9] A New York City-bound Amtrak train was stopped at Poughkeepsie due to reports of the train tracks south of Poughkeepsie being washed out, cutting off access to New York City, and was reversed and rerouted back to Rhinecliff.[10] Amtrak Service was also suspended between New York City and Albany.[11] In Saratoga County, U.S. Route 4 and New York State Route 32 were flooded with 2 feet (61 cm) of rainfall.[10] Train service on Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line were stopped between Croton–Harmon and Poughkeepsie because of downed trees and damaged tracks.[12] Due to the heavy rainfall, New York governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for Orange County, where 8 inches (200 mm) of rain fell on Highland Falls and West Point in the eastern corner of the county.[13] Significant flooding also occurred in Stony Point, where water rescues occurred and several homes and a park were flooded.[14] Highland Falls also experienced significant flooding, with numerous streets in Highland Falls flooded and access to Highland Falls from Interstate 87 and U.S. Route 6 were closed due to flooding.[15] Newburgh–Beacon Ferry Service was unavailable on July 10. CSX Tracks were compromised in 10 locations, with washed-out tracks between Selkirk and New Jersey.[16] Roads were washed out in Carmel as well.[16]

1,000 flights across New York airports, including LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, were cancelled, and more than 200 were delayed across those two airports.[17] Rainfall in the Bronx forced a brief delay in an MLB game between the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs.[18] A 43-year-old woman drowned after bring swept away by floodwaters in Highland Falls.[19][20]

Governor Kathy Hochul stated that damage would likely exceed $37 million, the threshold for a federal disaster declaration.[21]

On July 16, additional flash floods affected the New York metropolitan area, this time focused on Long Island. Ground stops were imposed at LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.[22] The flooding also led to a crash on New York State Route 27 late Sunday morning, injuring a police officer.[23] Heavy rain also resulted in a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets be delayed by over 3 hours.[24]3.04 in (7.7 cm) of rain poured down in one hour in Islip.[25]

Connecticut

Norfolk issued an emergency declaration due to significant flooding in the area.[26] Flooding and downed trees forced road closures in Greenwich, Danbury, New Milford, and Ridgefield.[27][28] Homes in Kent were evacuated.[29] Numerous flash flood warnings were issued for portions of Connecticut, including Greenwich and Stamford.[30] Rainfall peaked at 5.52 inches (140 mm) in Warren.[31]

New Hampshire

Multiple roads in Swanzey were closed.[32] The Crayon 301 NASCAR race was postponed due to flash floods on July 16.[33]

Vermont

Flooding in downtown Montpelier, Vermont as photographed by the United States Air National Guard

On July 10, roads were flooded and a garage was leveled in Ludlow, and basements were flooded in Barton. Portions of Interstate 89 and Vermont Route 16 were closed.[34][35] Flooding also occurred in Londonderry and Weston, where both towns were inaccessible.[36] 44 people required water rescues.[37] About a dozen Campers in Andover were rescued by swift boat after the bridge entering and exiting out of Andover was washed out.[38] Rainfall totals reached 9.61 in (244 mm) in Calais.[39] Vermont's Secretary of Agriculture, Food, and Markets Anson Tebbetts described the damage as being worse than that of Hurricane Irene in 2011.[40]

A 63-year-old man drowned in Barre.[41]

Thunder Road International SpeedBowl in Barre was scheduled to host the second event of the 2023 Superstar Racing Experience auto racing season on July 20, but the event was cancelled as result of the floods, with week 2 of the competition moving to Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut on the same day as the scheduled Thunder Road race. SRX will make its debut at the SpeedBowl in 2024.[42]

Pennsylvania

Flooding and water rescues occurred in Reading, along with vehicles submerged and downed wires occurring in Upper Merion Township and Conshohocken.[43] The American Red Cross and the Reading Fire Department assisted in water rescues in Reading and an emergency shelter was opened at an elementary school in Reading.[44] A baseball game between the York Revolution and the Lexington Counter Clocks was postponed.[45] Flooding washed out roads in Quakertown.[46]

On July 15, at least five people were killed due to flash flooding in Upper Makefield Township in Bucks County. Two children of one of the deceased victims are still missing.[47]

North Carolina

Flooding and damage was reported in the Greensboro and Burlington areas, where a shopping center and a softball field was flooded. Trees and power lines were down as well, and 15,000 power outages occurred across the state as numerous severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings were issued.[48] On July 15, a woman was killed in a flooded road in Alexander County.[49]

Aftermath

The American Red Cross and the Hudson Valley Chapter opened a shelter in Highland Falls, New York.[50] Due to storm damage, Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park were closed.[16] An emergency shelter was opened in Barre.[35] President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Vermont and ordered federal assistance to help with relief efforts.[51]

References

  1. ^ Strzepa, Liz (2023-07-09). "Gov. Scott issues State of Emergency in anticipation of flash flooding Sunday and Monday". WPTZ. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  2. ^ Flash flooding in N.Y., Vermont triggers water rescues as storms slam Northeast, Axios, July 10, 2023
  3. ^ Petenko, Erin (2023-07-10). "As Montpelier braces for major flooding, residents urged to evacuate low-lying areas". VTDigger. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  4. ^ "Historic floodwaters begin to recede as Vermont dam stabilizes after nearing capacity - CBS News". 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  5. ^ "Audio & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Potential Flash Flooding | Governor Kathy Hochul". www.governor.ny.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  6. ^ Object, object (2023-07-09). "Warnings are in effect for potentially 'catastrophic' flash flooding across southeastern New York". CNN. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  7. ^ "Dangerous flooding creating numerous problems in Rockland, Orange counties | abc7ny.com". abc7ny.com. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  8. ^ New York Flooding Washes Away Entire Road in West Point, Video Shows, Newsweek, July 10, 2023
  9. ^ Miranda, Raphael; Braate, Eric; Yas • •, Violeta (2023-07-09). "Rare flash flood emergency issued for part of NY as dumping rain continues". NBC New York. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  10. ^ a b Medina, Eduardo; Albeck-Ripka, Livia; McKinley, Jesse (2023-07-09). "At Least 1 Dead, as Heavy Rains Set Off Flash Flooding in New York". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  11. ^ "Amtrak Advisory | Amtrak Service Temporarily Suspended between New York and Albany". www.amtrak.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  12. ^ "Deadly NY Flooding Snarls Travel With More Rain Forecast". Bloomberg.com. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  13. ^ "Governor Hochul Declares State of Emergency in Orange County as Excessive Rains Cause Flash Flooding and Other Life-Threatening Impacts Across Mid-Hudson Region | Governor Kathy Hochul". www.governor.ny.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  14. ^ "Stony Point neighborhood flooded during torrential storms Sunday". The Journal News. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  15. ^ Murphy, John (July 10, 2023). "Drenching storms produce widespread flash flooding, strand motorists in Northeast". AccuWeather.
  16. ^ a b c "New York flash flooding: Torrential rain in Hudson Valley; State of Emergency in Orange County | abc7ny.com". abc7ny.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  17. ^ "Torrential rain leads to major flooding, at least 1 death, rescues in Northeast - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  18. ^ Cubs-Yankees rain delay: Weather updates for Yankees game today, July 9, Fansided, July 9, 2023
  19. ^ "At least 1 dead, state of emergency declared in Orange County due to flooding - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  20. ^ "New York flash flooding: Neighbor shocked after Pamela Nugent killed trying to escape torrential rain, flooding in Orange County | abc7ny.com". abc7ny.com. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  21. ^ Reisman, Nick (July 11, 2023). "Hochul says flood damage will trigger federal reimbursement". Spectrum News NY1. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  22. ^ "Dangerous storms slam the Northeast, leaving New York City under flood warning and killing 4 in Pennsylvania". CNN. July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  23. ^ "Suffolk PD: Police officer injured in Sunrise Highway crash". News 12 Long Island. July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  24. ^ Dodgers-Mets game on Sunday moved to 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m PT, MLB.com, July 16, 2023
  25. ^ Deadly flash flooding swamps Northeast again, prompting water rescues and canceling hundreds of flights, Fox Weather, July 16, 2023
  26. ^ Masse, Andrew; Austin • •, Matt (2023-07-09). "Heavy rain causes damage, closes roads in parts of Litchfield County". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  27. ^ Jul 10; 2023; Staff, 11:25amUpdated 3h agoBy: News 12. "Thunderbolt 12: Heavy rain causes flooding, damage in some Connecticut neighborhoods". News 12 - Connecticut. Retrieved 2023-07-10. {{cite web}}: |last2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ "Flooding in Connecticut: Road closures, damage amid storm". WTNH.com. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  29. ^ • (2023-07-10). "Multiple homes in Kent evacuated due to flooding". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2023-07-10. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  30. ^ "Overnight storm causes flooding, damage in parts of Connecticut". www.fox61.com. July 10, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  31. ^ How much rain did CT get on Sunday, July 9?, Stamford Advocate, July 9, 2023
  32. ^ Mitropoulos, Arielle (2023-07-09). "Multiple roads in Swanzey, Winchester closed due to heavy rains; area under flash flood warning". WMUR. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  33. ^ NH officials urge people to stay off the roads, as flash flood warnings remain in effect, NHPR, July 16, 2023
  34. ^ Team, WCAX News (2023-07-10). "Residents stranded, homes destroyed by early morning floods". www.wcax.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  35. ^ a b Hemenway, Cassandra (2023-07-10). "Downtown Montpelier Flooding: Emergency Center at Barre Auditorium". The Montpelier Bridge. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  36. ^ Ganley, Shaun (2023-07-11). "Catastrophic flooding across parts of New England". WCVB. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  37. ^ Cutler, Calvin (2023-07-10). "Scott updates Vermonters on flooding, calls situation 'all hands on deck response'". WCAX. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  38. ^ O'Brien, Brendan; Mckay, Rich (2023-07-11). "Flash floods rage in Vermont, New York; 50 rescued by swift boat". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  39. ^ A 'potentially dangerous situation' looms as Vermont grapples with worst flood in nearly 100 years, AccuWeather, July 11, 2023
  40. ^ Bewlay, Sid (July 12, 2023). "Flooding hits Vermont farms, estimated millions in damages". WPTZ. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  41. ^ "Live updates: Vermont watches for more rain three days after flooding". Vermont Public. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  42. ^ "SRX Cancels Thunder Road Visit, Awards 2024 Date". Speed Sport. 13 July 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  43. ^ Kummer, Frank. "Severe storm, flood watches in effect as heavy rains start to rock the region". Inquirer. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  44. ^ "American Red Cross opens shelter in Reading, Berks County due to flooding, displacements in Jamestown Village Apartments | 6abc.com". 6abc.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  45. ^ "REVOLUTION – COUNTER CLOCKS POSTPONED". Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  46. ^ "Heavy rains pound US Northeast, with more storms on the way". Reuters. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  47. ^ Ciavaglia, Jo; Haddon, Michele; Price, Liam; Haught, J. Staas; Guzman, Francisco (July 16, 2023). "Pennsylvania flash flooding: 5 dead, 2 missing, including 9 month old, 2-year-old sister". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  48. ^ "Photos and videos of weekend storm damage, flooding in Triad". FOX8 WGHP. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  49. ^ Body of woman found after vehicle swept away during flooding in Alexander County, WSCOTV, July 16, 2023
  50. ^ "The Hudson Valley Chapter has opened a shelter in response to flooding in the lower Hudson region. The site is at the Sacred Heart of Jesus School at 7 Cozzens Ave., Highland Falls, Orange County. Volunteers are providing a place to rest, water, and snacks". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  51. ^ House, The White (2023-07-11). "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Vermont Emergency Declaration". The White House. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
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