Flash Flooding and Hail in New York, May 13, 2000

A potent warm front crossed eastern New York early on Saturday May 13. Thunderstorms erupted along the front. While these were not severe, they produced heavy rainfall and some lightning damage. A bolt of lightning struck a home in Hoosick, which resulted in much of the house being gutted by fire. A cold front followed on the heels of the warm front Saturday afternoon. This front touched off another round of thunderstorms, some of which became severe in the Mohawk Valley. Wind damage was noted in Ephratah, Herkimer county as gusts estimated to 70 mph produced scattered downed trees as well as dime size hail. The same cell produced wind gusts strong enough to down wires in Canajoharie, Montgomery county. However, the bigger problem from the storms was flash flooding, as more rain fell across areas saturated by the rainfall from previous storms. Intense downpours, falling at the rate of an inch per hour, over saturated ground, produced widespread flooding in Herkimer county. Roads out of Middleville, near Newport, were closed. State Route 28 was closed between Herkimer and Middleville. West Canada creek spilled out of its banks and washed away a bridge near Middleville. Street flooding was noted in Dolgeville. At Columbia Center, also in Herkimer county, Moyer Creek reached bankful. Heavy rains washed out roads, and the pavement was torn apart. A portion of Avery road in Herkimer county was completely washed out. At the height of the flooding, a state of emergency was declared for Herkimer County. Street flooding was also noted at Johnstown, Canajoharie and Fonda in Montgomery county.