A slow-moving storm system devastated eastern New York on Wednesday, breaking rainfall records and forcing emergency rescues across multiple counties as more than 10 inches of rain overwhelmed communities from the Hudson Valley to western Massachusetts.
Emergency Rescues Underway Across Region
Multiple counties in eastern New York declared states of emergency as the relentless downpours transformed roads into rivers. State swiftwater rescue teams deployed across the region, conducting boat rescues in flooded neighborhoods. In Coeymans, north of Hudson, responders evacuated two adults and two children from their homes. Putnam County fire departments used a front-end loader to navigate floodwaters and rescue a family whose home sat nearly surrounded by water reaching vehicle bumpers.
Nearly two dozen roads closed in Columbia County alone as local fire departments worked to pump water from flooded homes, according to Matt Murell, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. Video footage from Guilderland showed cars stranded in waist-deep water, with rescuers carrying children to safety from submerged vehicles.
Albany Breaks Two-Day Rainfall Record
Albany International Airport recorded approximately 6.5 inches of rain since Tuesday, establishing the city’s largest two-day rainfall event on record. The highest total came from Schodack, New York, which measured 10 inches—more than double the average rainfall for the entire month of July. Several locations in northern New Jersey received a full month’s worth of precipitation in just one day Tuesday, with 20 people rescued from floodwaters in Paterson.
The storm dumped rain at rates of one to two inches per hour across eastern New York and western New England through Wednesday afternoon. Flash flood warnings remained in effect over western Massachusetts and the Hudson Valley, where rainfall totals exceeded 6 inches in multiple areas.
Travel Disruptions Mount
Transportation networks suffered significant disruptions as the storm system stalled over the Northeast. More than 200 flights were canceled at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports on Wednesday, according to FlightAware. Boston Logan International Airport reported approximately 60 cancellations and hundreds of delays by late afternoon. Amtrak suspended all service between New York City and Albany, citing high water and debris covering tracks from the storms.
What Comes Next
Meteorologists expect the storm to weaken Wednesday evening, with rainfall becoming more scattered and less intense overnight. This should significantly reduce flood risks across affected areas. A minimal risk of isolated flooding rain remains in place from Boston to coastal Maine on Thursday as lingering bands of heavier precipitation pass through the region.