Flash Flood — Essex, New York

2011-08-28 · near Haselton, Essex, New York

Event narrative

Tropical Storm Irene deposited 3 to 7+ inches of rainfall to Essex county during the morning and afternoon hours. The greatest rainfall amounts and impact were across central and northern Essex county along the eastern slopes of the Adirondacks. Severe flash flooding occurred within the Keene and AuSable River valleys with numerous roads (local and State including Route 3, 9N, 73, 28N), bridges, homes and businesses washed out in towns like Lake Placid, Jay, Keene, AuSable, Wilmington. Local EMs have determined this is the greatest natural disaster in the county.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Irene moved across southeast New York and southwest New England during the morning hours of August 28th and then proceeded to track north along the Connecticut River Valley in Vermont during the afternoon and evening.

Strong to damaging winds in excess of 60 mph was observed within several miles of Lake Champlain and wind gusts approaching 50 mph downed trees elsewhere in the Champlain Valley of New York during the afternoon hours.

The main, devastating impact from Irene, especially for Essex and southern Clinton counties was torrential rainfall and subsequent devastating flash and river flooding. Widespread rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches occurred across the Champlain Valley of New York as well as eastern Franklin county. However, rainfall amounts of 4 to 7+ inches were common across the eastern slopes of the Adirondacks in Essex and Clinton counties.

Devastating flash flooding occurred in mountain valleys, especially the Keene and AuSable River valleys with a record crest on the AuSable River.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.4280, -73.8199)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 341613. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.