The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, declared a State of Emergency for Orange and Ontario Counties after heavy rain triggered widespread flooding.

Floods in Canandaigua, New York, USA, 09 July 2023. Photo: Canandaigua Fire

Governor Hochul declared an emergency in Orange County after around 8 inches (200 mm) of rain resulted in widespread flooding, causing numerous road closures and other storm-related impacts. One person died after being swept away by flood waters in Highland Falls.

Hours later the governor expanded the declaration to include Ontario County after heavy rainfall led to significant flooding in the Canandaigua area. Canandaigua Fire Department responded to 150 water-related calls including dozens of water rescues.

Severe flooding was also reported in Carmel in Putnam County, and Stony Point in Rockland County, among others. In New Rochelle in Westchester County, police reported two people were taken to hospital after they were electrocuted in flood waters. Dozens of road closures were reported in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, and Clinton Counties.

The severe weather caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled or delayed. Train services between Albany and New York City were temporarily suspended. As of late 09 July, there were more than 12,000 power outages reported in Putnam, Dutchess, Albany, Ulster and Orange counties, Governor Hochul said.

Flooding also affected parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Roads were blocked in Clinton Township in New Jersey. The North Branch Raritan River at South Branch, Hillsborough Township in New Jersey reached Moderate Flood Stage on 09 July. In Pennsylvania, high water rescues were carried out in Quakertown and dozens of people evacuated their homes in Reading.

The National Weather Service in New York reported 195.83 mm (7.71 inches) of rain was recorded at the weather station at the West Point United States Military Academy on 09 July 2023.

The National Weather Service said that the threat for heavy rain and flash flooding will persist into 10 July, particularly from the Hudson Valley eastward into western New England.