Flash Flood — Ulster, New York

2000-07-14 · near Denning, Ulster, New York

Wider weather episode

A very moist air mass moved over the Mohawk Valley and Southern Catskills during the afternoon on July 14. A cold front stalled to the west of the region. This scenario allowed for a cluster of thunderstorms to develop. One thunderstorm cell became locally severe as it moved across Montgomery county. Winds from the storm blew trees down in the town of Minaville. Large trees also blew over in Glen. The thunderstorms produced torrential rains as they became stationary over the same area. In Fulton County, more than three inches of rain fell in a short time. The runoff washed out County Route 101 to the northwest of Gloversville. Five to seven inches of rain fell at West Shokan in Ulster county. A mudslide occurred on High Point Mountain Road, with debris blocking nearby roads. County Route 51 was closed in IIlion, Herkimer County, due to flooding and mudslides. Other roads were closed in the towns of Mohawk and Herkimer. The Steele Creek overflowed its banks near the town of Ilion. In Ulster county, Denning was especially hard hit. Doppler radar estimated between 8 and 10 inches of rain fell in a few hours during the late afternoon and evening hours as thunderstorms became virtually stationary over the area. Massive flooding caused almost every road in Denning to be washed out, including County Route 46 (Greenville Road). Five families had to be evacuated. Small bridges were also washed out. The hamlet of Sundown suffered the most damage with all but one road devastated. A trailer was destroyed while other houses had damage to their foundations. Other portions of homes were torn away.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5164826. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.