Flooding in New York, May 10 to 17, 2000

Heavy rains from thunderstorm complexes brought anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of rainfall to the Western Mohawk basin on May 10. Another series of thunderstorms brought several more inches of torrential rain to the same area on May 13. The combination of both these events produced massive runoff resulting in the overflowing of the Mohawk River west of Tribes Hill. The first significant rise to above flood stage affected areas from Utica, downstream into Southern Herkimer county. The river crested just above the 403 foot crest stage at Utica, and came within inches of the 15 foot flood stage at Little Falls. The river stage lowered but remained above flood stage near Utica. However, the torrential thunderstorm rains on May 13 caused the river to rise more sharply, generating minor flooding further downstream. The river crested at 407.1 feet at Utica on May 14, 17.5 feet at Little Falls and and 1.4 feet above the 280 foot flood stage at Tribes Hill. The river rose significantly in Schenectady County, but remained within its banks. The second surge of flooding resulted in property damage including a buoy tender moored at Lock 12 ( Fort Plain) being sunk. This caused the loss of all the equipment associated with it. Also, the torrential rainfalls caused both the West and East Canada creeks to overflow. Some roads in Western Herkimer county were also washed out. The Mohawk river slowly receded within its banks everywhere by the end of May 14.