Flooding in New York, January 19 to 21, 1996

An intense area of low pressure which was located over the Mid-Atlantic region on Friday morning January 19th produced unseasonably warm temperatures, high dewpoints and strong winds. This resulted in rapid melting of one to three feet of snow. In addition to the rapid snowmelt one to three inches of rain fell as the system moved northeast along the coast. This resulted in widespread flooding across Dutchess County. Federal Disaster Assistance was made available by presidential declaration. Small streams flooded across the entire county which resulted in many roads being washed out. Extensive flooding also occurred along the Hudson River and Wappingers Creek. In the higher terrain of eastern Dutchess County road washouts were more numerous. In the Town of Pawling 50% of town roads were washed out. In the Towns of Northeast and Amenia widespread and severe damage also occurred to local roads. Taconic State Parkway in northern Dutchess County was closed Friday night January 19th due to flooding. Fishkill and Wappingers Falls were some of the hardest hit areas. Wappingers Creek in Wappingers Falls crested 2 feet over flood stage. In the City of Poughkeepsie a water contamination warning was issued due to the flooding Hudson River.