By Holly Crocco
Putnam County was not spared from the flash flooding that occurred July 9 in much of the Hudson Valley, when torrential rain blanketed the region.
Local volunteer firefighters, and police officers were busy trying to keep people off the roads, bailing residents out of flooded homes and providing other support, while the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services worked with partners at the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Response to keep on top of conditions.
More than 8 inches of rain was recorded in Cold Spring, Mahopac, Mahopac Falls, Carmel and surrounding areas over just six hours Sunday afternoon and early evening,
According to the Cold Spring Fire Company, from about 3:30 p.m. Sunday to about midnight Monday, members answered more than 25 calls ranging from fire alarms, pump-outs, gas leaks, elevator rescues, mudslides, trapped residents and numerous flooding condition calls. In addition, the station was used as a shelter for community members needing to escape from the weather, as well as visitors who were trapped in the village.
Severe flooding conditions were reported along Routes 9 and 9D, as well as Fair Street in Carmel, Route 6 in Mahopac, Peekskill Hollow Road in Putnam Valley, the Taconic State Parkway both northbound and southbound from Exit 20 to Exit 40, Route 292 in Patterson – and many other roads throughout the county.
In response to the significant flooding, County Executive Kevin Byrne declared a state of emergency in Putnam the following day, as numerous roads, bridges and culverts suffered severe damage. He said the county immediately began working with state and federal government officials to advocate for financial relief in the aftermath of the storm.
The emergency declaration also allows for a coordinated response to the situation, mobilizing resources and activating emergency management protocols, said Byrne.
Following a partial activation of the Emergency Operations Center, the county executive directed the BES, the Department of Public Works and other county departments to work with local municipalities and first responders to assess damage and implement recovery efforts.
Byrne expressed his gratitude to the first responders, DPW crews, county employees at the BES and volunteers who worked through the night and to address the immediate needs of affected areas.
“We appreciate the hard work and commitment of our emergency personnel and public works teams who are on the front lines of the response efforts,” he said. “Their dedication is invaluable.”
Local governments and residents are encouraged to keep records of all storm-related expenses incurred, should they become eligible for disaster relief funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.