Flash Flood — Warren, New York

2005-06-13 to 2005-06-14 · near Chestertown, Warren, New York

Event narrative

Flash flooding occurred in Warren County during the evening hours of June13 through the early morning hours of June 14. The flash flooding was focusedfrom central Lake George westward. At 630 PM EST, it was reported that waterwas flowing down Dowen Mountain, and that road culverts were running like rivers.At 730 PM EST, it was reported that Interstate I-87, the Northway, was closed dueto a mud slide between exists 23 and 25. At 812 PM, it was reported that numerousroads were closed in the Bolton and Chestertown due to flooding. At 1205 AM onJune 14, it was reported that Interstate 87, the Northway, was washed out at milepost67, and that vast amounts of water were flowing over the highway.

Wider weather episode

A warm, very humid air mass had been over eastern New York and adjacent western New England duringthe weekend. On Monday, June 13, the remnant of tropical storm Arlene was over the central Great Lakesshortly after daybreak. It moved eastward triggering a cluster of thunderstorms in the vicinity of Lake Georgeduring the late afternoon and evening. These thunderstorms contained very heavy rainfall. Between 6 and 7inches of rainfall occurred in about 2-hour period. The heavy rainfall continued into the early morning of June 14.Small creeks became swollen rivers. Some officials described the rainfall in the Bolton Landing area as a"500-year-storm". There were several road washouts in Warren County, including the major north-souththoroughfare I-87, known as the Northway. Severe damage to that roadway occurred near mile 67, and the roadwas closed for several days between exits 23 and 25 (about 16 miles). Several other roads were damagedextensively, especially those around Bolton Landing. The damage to roads alone was in excess of 6 million dollars.At least 20 people were evacuated, and a number of homes were damaged. Governor Pataki declared WarrenCounty a "disaster area".

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.6500, -73.8167)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5459397. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.