Flash Flood — Rensselaer, New York

2008-08-11 · near Rensselaer, Rensselaer, New York

Event narrative

Very heavy rainfall from training thunderstorms led to significant urban and small stream flash flooding in and near the City of Rensselaer. A State of Emergency was declared in the City of Rensselaer as numerous roads were closed, with 6 or more feet of standing water reported on city streets. Evacuations of 50 to 75 homes occurred due to the flooding. Flooding was mainly concentrated along and near the banks of Quackenberry Creek, as well as near Mill Creek.

The Amtrak Station in Rensselaer was also closed due to the flooding.

Flash flooding also closed Routes 9 and 20, a portion of Route 151, and Luther Road, in East Greenbush.

Wider weather episode

An upper level low pressure system moved slowly northeast from central Pennsylvania into east central New York State during Monday, August 11th. The upper level dynamics of this system, combined with abundant low level moisture, and significant instability led to the development of numerous, slow moving thunderstorm clusters during Monday afternoon. Large hail was reported with many of these thunderstorms.

In addition, locally very heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding in portions of eastern New York.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.6400, -73.7400)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 130523. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.