Flash Flood in New York, June 8 to 9, 1996

A stationary front which stretched from western New York east across the state to western New England became the focus for severe thunderstorms and flash flooding over eastern New York on June 8. Severe thunderstorms occurred in Albany, Columbia, Greene and Dutchess Counties. At Coeymans Hollow in Albany County one and three quarter inch hail was reported. Hail was also observed in the Town of Milan in Dutchess County. Most of the damage produced by these storms occurred when strong winds downed trees and power lines. Frequent lightning also produced damage over the area. In Greene County at Coxsackie lightning downed a tree on a house and in Palenville lightning caused a fire at the Palenville Methodist Church. In Albany, lightning downed power lines on the Patroon Island Bridge where the New York State Thruway crosses the Hudson River. The bridge was closed for several hours. Training echoes caused flash flooding in Albany, Dutchess and Columbia Counties. In southern Albany County training thunderstorms produced a total rainfall of 5 to 6 inches. Flash flooding occurred during the late afternoon and evening hours and from around midnight to the early morning hours of June 9. Roads were flooded throughout much of southern Albany County including: county routes 405, 411 and 143. Flooding was reported in Ravena. The flooding Hannacroix Creek produced a mudslide on county route 143. In northern Dutchess County flash flooding occurred in the Towns of Red Hook and Milan. In Redhook 5.24 inches of rain was observed during the late afternoon and evening. In southern Columbia County flash flooding occurred around Lake Taghkanic and in the Towns of Ancram and Copake. Across this region 4.5 inches of rain fell during the evening. In the Town of Ancram many roads were washed out.