Heavy rain flooding in New York leaves at least one dead

On Sunday evening, a slow-moving storm system dumped a lot of rain over a large area of New York State, flooding roadways, forcing scores of motorists to be rescued from their vehicles stuck on flooded highways, and causing at least one fatality, according to the authorities.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm system that hit the Hudson Valley on Sunday caused the most damage, with some areas receiving five to eight inches of rain.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point in Orange County, which was hit by the storm's epicentre, had received nearly eight inches of rain as of Sunday night.

According to New York State Police Trooper Steven V. Nevel, the search and rescue operations on Sunday night required "all hands on deck" due to the numerous destroyed bridges and blocked roadways.

Parts of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, which is frequently used, were entirely washed out and flooded, according to Trooper Nevel.

The executive of Orange County, Steven M. Neuhaus, reported that one death was associated with the flooding.

The victim was a woman in her 30s, according to state senator for Orange County James Skoufis, but neither official was able to provide further information on the circumstances surrounding the event or the cause of death.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Sunday night that there were additional “missing individuals” in Orange County, saying that in one instance a house had been swept away into a stream. She declared a state of emergency for Orange and Ontario Counties on Sunday night.

“The amount of water is extraordinary,” she said.

The Hudson River's western sides are home to West Point and Highland Falls, both of which have had several requests for water rescues, according to Mr. Neuhaus.

The two main routes in and out of Woodbury, according to Mr. Skoufis, who was in Orange County on Sunday night, were washed out.

“If you’re travelling within Orange County, good luck,” the senator said. “Getting around is next to impossible right now.”

Numerous emergency calls were being handled by county officials, police departments, and other organisations as a result of floods that the Weather Service deemed "life-threatening."

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