Flood in Essex County, New York

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene caused extensive flooding in the Ausable River basin. For the Ausable River at Ausable Forks, a new record crest was at at 18.43 feet at 22:30 EST August 29. Flood stage is 7.0 feet, and the previous record was 15.22 feet set on November 9 1996.

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.