Flash Flood in Delaware County, New York

Approximately 100 homes and businesses were flooded by a wall of water flowing down the East Branch of the Delaware River. Numerous roads and bridges were severely flooded. Mass evacuations took place before the flood occurred. Some people did not evacuate and were rescued by helicopter.

Hurricane Irene brought heavy rains and high winds from northeast Pennsylvania to the Catskill Mountains of New York from Saturday evening the 27th to Sunday afternoon the 28th. Rainfall totaled from 2 to 5 inches over most of northeast Pennsylvania and in the Susquehanna Region of central New York. Between 4 and 8 inches of rain fell in the western Catskills with portions of Wyoming and northern Susquehanna Counties in northeast Pennsylvania and southern Broome County in New York receiving 6 to 8 inches of rain. The heavy rains caused catastrophic flash flooding in eastern Delaware county on the East Branch of the Delaware River with major flood damage and 1 death reported in Margaretville and Fleischmanns. Over 200 people were evacuated with dozens rescued in this area. Claryville, NY also saw historic record breaking flashing flooding along the Neversink River. Damages are estimated to be over 20 million dollars to Delaware and Sullivan Counties alone.

In addition, to the heavy rains, high winds from Irene knocked down numerous trees and power-lines across Broome, Delaware, Sullivan and Otsego counties in New York. During the height of the storm, over 40,000 residences were without power. In some cases, power was not restored for one week.