Flooding in New York, January 8 to 12, 1998

From January 8 to January 12, the Hudson River flooded from its headwaters to where it crosses into Greene and Columbia Counties, due to a combination of significant rain and snowmelt. In Hamilton and Warren Counties, the river rose to heights that came close to the flood of record. Flood damage in this area was kept to a minimum due to its flow through undeveloped areas and vacation property which was secured for the winter. At North Creek in northern Warren County, the crest fell 0.6 feet below the flood of record. At Lake Luzerne, six homes were evacuated along the Hudson River. In Washington County, River Road was closed in the Town of Greenwich and roads and backyards were flooded in the Village of Fort Edward. In the Village of Waterford in southern Saratoga County, a State of Emergency was declared during the evening on January 8. One hundred and twenty five people were evacuated from their homes and electrical power was shut off to the flooded area. Seventy people were temporarily housed in shelters and approximately 150 homes sustained flood damage. In the Village of Stillwater in southern Saratoga County, a State of Emergency was also declared. Several feet of water flooded Wrights Loop, Ferry Lane and River Road. The rising water forced the evacuation of 60 people. At the Town of Saratoga which includes Schuylerville, 15 to 20 homes were evacuated near the Hudson River. At the Town of Moreau in northern Saratoga County, houses along Dyke and Nolan Roads were surrounded by rising water Friday night January 9 and evacuated by boats. In Albany County, the Hudson River forced the closure of entrance ramps to Interstate 787 and a tunnel was flooded in downtown Albany. In Rensselaer County, flooding occurred along Riverfront Park behind City Hall and in low lying areas especially in Lansingburgh. Approximately 34 homes in the City of Troy sustained flood damage. Tidal flooding occurred along the Hudson River in southern Albany, southern Rensselaer, Greene and Columbia Counties. Portions of route 9J at Stuyvesant in northern Columbia County were closed due to the tidal flooding.