Flood in New York, December 2 to 4, 1996

Low pressure produced 1 to 2 inches of rain across much of eastern New York during December 1 through the morning of December 2. Rainfall totals around 3 inches occurred over parts of the upper Hudson River Basin and in the Catskills. This amount of rainfall during the late fall season resulted in flooding across much of the region. In Fulton County, the Cavadutta Creek flooded in the Town of Johnstown and flooding was also reported in the Caroga Lake area. In Montgomery County, roads in low lying areas were flooded in the Towns of Florida, Palatine and Canajoharie. State Highway 30 was flooded in the Town of Florida. In Schoharie County, flooding occurred in the Towns of Cobleskill, Richmondville and Esperance. In the Village of Cobleskill, West Street and Quarry Street were washed out. Basements were flooded in Barnerville due to the Cobleskill Creek. In the Town of Richmondville, Mickle Road and Warnerville Cutoff Road were closed. Flooding was widespread in Ulster County. Roads were closed in the Towns of Denning, Hardenburgh, New Paltz, Kingston, Ulster, Woodstock and Saugerties. A state of emergency was declared in the Town of Shandaken during the morning hours of December 2. McKinley Hollow Road and Lost Cove Road were severely damaged. Old route 28 was flooded between Phoenicia and Mount Tremper. The Town of Hardenburgh also suffered severe road damage. In the Town of Woodstock, roads were flooded when the Sawkill overflowed its banks. The Esopus Creek crested 2.5 feet above flood stage above the Ashokan Reservoir. The lower Esopus Creek went approximately 3 feet over flood stage when water spilled over the top of the Ashokan Dam. Orlando Street and Sandy Road in the Town of Ulster were evacuated along the Esopus Creek. Damage was minor during this flooding event along the entire Esopus Creek. In Hamlton County, the Sacandaga River went 2 feet above flood stage at Hope. In Washington County, many roads were flooded and washed out. In the Village of Whitehall, Broadway was closed for several hours. In the Town of Fort Ann, Hogtown Road and Shelving Rock Road were badly washed out. Many roads were also flooded and washed out in Warren County. The Towns of Thurman, Bolton and Stony Creek were hardest hit. State Highway 8 in the Town of Horicon, had a 30 foot section washed out across both lanes. State Highway 9N in the Town of Bolton was closed until late afternoon on December 2. The Mohawk River flooded in southern Herkimer County, Montgomery County and in Schenectady County. The flooding was fairly minor. The river went 1 foot above flood stage at Little Falls and crested near flood stage in Schenectady. Roads at the industrial park near Little Falls were flooded. In Montgomery County, the Tribes Hill Bridge in Fort Hunter was closed as a steel gate on Lock 12 under the bridge was forced open. In Schenectday County, River Road was flooded in Niskayuna and some flooding occurred in the Stockade region in Schenectady. Minor flooding occurred along the Schoharie Creek in Schoharie, Montgomery and western Schenectady Counties. The creek reached the 6 foot flood stage at Burtonville in Montgomery County and some flooding occurred in the Lost Valley. In Schoharie County, Redling and Bielfeldt Roads were flooded along the creek. Minor flooding occurred along the Hoosic River in southern Washington County and northern Rensselaer County. At Buskirk in Rensselaer County, Firehouse Road was closed between the covered bridge and County Route 67. Minor flooding occurred along the Hudson River in Saratoga and Washington Counties. Fort Edward in Washington County and Waterford and the Stillwater Flats in Saratoga County sustained minor flooding. Along the Moose River in northern Herkimer County, minor flooding occurred at McKeever. The West Canada Creek flooded in southern Herkimer County from the Hinckley Reservoir downsteam to the Mohawk River. The flooding was confined to low lying areas.