Flash Flooding in New York, June 6 to 7, 2000

An area of low pressure developed over the DelMarVa Peninsula by early on June 6. This storm tracked up the coast and became a full-blown nor'easter. It tapped into a rich supply of tropical moisture and produced a very heavy rainstorm across eastern New York...mainly from Albany southward. Albany established a new rainfall record for June 6 with 3.50 inches. Even heavier rain fell across the Catskills with as much as 5.77 inches falling at East Jewett in Greene county. In Ulster county, totals included 5.25 inches at West Shokan, and 4.9 inches at Saugerties. The heaviest rain accumulated during the evening hours, with rainfall rates approaching an inch per hour. The heavy rain produced flash flooding, and flooding of large tributaries. Stuveysant Plaza in Guilderland, Albany County flooded as did Fuller Road and State Highway Route 20, in the same area. Both roads flooded in several spots. In Colonie, portions of Consaul Road, and State Highway Route 5 (Central Avenue) were closed near the intersection of Lishakill Road. Albany Shaker Road was shut down near Anne Lee Pond. Miller Road flooded in Coeymans. Finally, the heavy rain washed even more of the escarpment away at the Normanskill just south of the city of Albany. State Highway Route 443 (Delaware Avenue) was about to be reopened. However due to this erosion, the road remained closed for the remainder of the month, which resulted in further monetary losses to businesses in the area. Three roads were closed in Schoharie County due to flooding. State Highway 30 was closed from south of Mill Valley Road in Middleburgh to Blenheim along the Schoharie Creek. Along the Catskill Creek, Hauverville Road was closed as was portions of State Highway Route 145. The Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir went 2.5 feet above flood stage, which resulted in the Schoharie Creek coming out ot its banks. Flooding of the creek also forced residents in parts of Cobleskill to evacuate. The Schoharie Creek rose two feet over its flood stage at Burtonsville. In Montgomery County, the Schoharie Creek rose so sharply that a wall of debris built up at Lock 12 (Fort Hunter) at the confluence of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River. This scenario caused a dam gate to be blown out. The Main Street Bridge in Fort Hunter also buckled and was closed for several days. Lock 12 was closed to boaters for the remainder of the month. In addition, street flooding was reported in the towns of Florida, Charleston, Canajoharie and most western portions of Montgomery County. In Greene county, a portion of State Route 385 was closed in Athens. In New Baltimore, two roads and culvert bridges were also closed due to flooding. In Leeds, 23 people had to be evacuated from homes along State Highway 23B as the Catskill creek rose out of its banks. More than four inches of rain fell across Columbia County. The excess rain flooded State Highway Route 9G near Hudson. Many roads were closed due to rising water including Spook Rock Road in Greenport, a portion of County Route 7 in Copake, Webb Road in Claverack, and Pine Wood as well as Lockwood Road in Livingston. Many other low lying regions also flooded. In Schenectady County, portions of Onderdonk and Bruce Roads in Glenville were closed due to flooding. There was localized flooding at storm water culverts in Saratoga County. The heavy rains caused power outages affecting about 1,600 Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. customers between 3 and 4:45 PM. During the height of the rainstorm, many basements, especially in the Capital region, took on water. The heavy rain resulted in numerous fender benders during the evening commute.