Flash Flood Warnings Issued As Heavy Rain Hits Southeastern New York (+Video)

New York City has issued a flood watch, effective until 6 a.m. Monday morning, cautioning that areas with low elevation, inadequate drainage, or proximity to creeks, streams, or rivers are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding.

City officials have expressed concerns about the potential for rapidly flooded basements, which could endanger lives. They have urged residents to seek higher floors for safety.

Throughout the day, the storms have already deluged several inches of rain across portions of the Lower Hudson Valley. This has resulted in flooded roadways, trapping drivers in their vehicles and causing debris to scatter across communities. Emergency responders have been actively engaged in rescue operations.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York declared a state of emergency for Orange County on Sunday night. She stated that the community experienced "life-threatening flooding" within a matter of hours, resulting in power outages for 13,000 households. Search and rescue efforts are underway in the area.

At the United States Military Academy West Point, located in Orange County, flooding trapped individuals in their cars, requiring them to swim to safety, as reported by a spokesperson from the West Point Military Police to CNN.

Preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that West Point received over 7.5 inches of rainfall within six hours on Sunday afternoon. According to a CNN analysis of NOAA's historical rainfall frequency data, this event corresponds to a 1-in-1000 year rainfall occurrence for that location. In other words, the chances of such an intense event happening in any given year are just 0.1%.

Flash flooding has led to the closure of roads in Rockland, Putnam, and northern Westchester County, impacting the Lower Hudson Valley.

The full impact of Sunday's storms remains uncertain, as heavy rainfall persists into the evening.