Towns of Rockland County, NY

This is an update on the aftermath of Hurricane Ida as of 7:15AM, September 2nd. 

Clarkstown received over seven inches of rain which caused significant flooding issues across the entire Town. According to Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.  there are 1,481 people out of power in Rockland; 183 of those in Clarkstown mainly in Upper Nyack. O&R has extra crews on working to restore power. The Clarkstown Police Department had over 200 calls for service almost all weather related between 9:00PM and 4:00AM. Approximately thirty one roads were closed within the town most are now open. However, some notable exceptions including the New York State Thruway is closed causing significant back ups. As a result literally there are thousands of tractor trailers that have been diverted onto local roads. Route 59 by the Shoppes at Nanuet one lane only open Westbound; also 59 in West Nyack Bobby Lane to the Cemetery is closed. Congers Road is also closed Goebel to Strawtown.

So what happens next? Well, the clean up is underway as well as assessment. Throughout the town highway crews are out checking roads, clearing debris from previously flooded areas. This will be ongoing. Barricades are being picked up from previously closed roads and continues. Be careful as you travel as you may find debris on roadways and storm drain covers off in some areas where we have had flooding. Further, dozens of cars were abandoned in flooded areas due to rising flood waters. In fact we had several water rescues in the town of trapped motorists. Unfortunately, many of these cars are in the roadway and must be towed like the one in the photo which was on South Pascack Road and had been submerged last night. This will continue throughout the day as we continue to clean up. 

Finally, the weather is cool and more importantly clear with no rain in the forecast until Sunday. However, the runoff will continue so large streams and rivers will still have rising waters for the next twelve to twenty four hours. So expect continued flooding around the Hackensack and other rivers in the County. Governor Hochul and County Executive Day have declared emergencies and I am certain that the State will seek FEMA assistance from the federal government. Therefore, if that is to occur we will post information on how to apply for FEMA assistance. This was the most significant rain/flooding event we have experienced since 2004. We had flooding in places that never flood; scores of homeowners have flooding in their homes and fire departments were busy with water rescues and pumping out homes. Be patient and careful as you travel in the town and the region over the next day as the clean up and aftermath continues. We will post a further update later today. Be safe everyone!