Westchester flash flooding: Several roads close near Mount Pleasant July 14
Westchester County Police Department warned that more closures could be anticipated as rains continued to fall in the region.
"Please do not drive tonight if you can avoid it," the department said in a Facebook post. "Severe thunderstorms, high winds and flash flooding remain in the forecast. ... Stay s
Read on for the latest updates on flash flooding in the Lower Hudson Valley.
A flash flood warning is in effect for Rockland County and central Westchester, with multiple roads in areas of Westchester Monday, July 14, after multiple inches of rain have accumulated over a short period of time.
"Move to higher ground now! This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation," the warning from the National Weather Service reads. "Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."
At 6 p.m., "emergency management reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen," the NWS said. "Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area."
"Flash flooding is already occurring" in the areas of Pleasantville, Armonk, Thornwood and Hawthorne. Stamford and New Canaan in Connecticut were also impacted.
By 6:30 p.m., the NWS expanded the warning to include New City, Ossining, Monsey, Nanuet, Ramsey, Tarrytown, Suffern, Nyack, Tappan, Pearl River, Hawthorne, Orangeburg, Upper Nyack, Spring Valley, Valley Cottage, Park Ridge, Airmont, Congers, Upper Saddle River and Chestnut Ridge.
New York State Police urged motorists to seek an alternate route of transportation Monday after announcing that stretches of the Taconic State Parkway and Sprain Brook Parkway in the town of Mount Pleasant were closed due to flooding.
"Please seek alternate routes and use caution when traveling in the area," the post reads.
According to various sources, including the New York State Department of Transportation's 511NY website, New York State Police and Westchester County Police Department, the following roads are closed due to flooding as of 8:12 p.m.:
Bronx River Parkway: Closed between County Center and Main Street in White Plains. There also are closures both northbound and southbound in sections around Fenimore Road.
Taconic State Parkway: Closed in both directions between Commerce Street near mile marker 1.6 (Mount Pleasant) and Lakeview Avenue (Mount Pleasant), all lanes closed.
Sprain Brook State Parkway: All lanes closed in both directions at Bradhurst Avenue; Ramp (Mount Pleasant) all lanes closed at mile marker 11.6.
NY 22: Closed in both directions between Highland Avenue and Old Orchard Street in New Castle just south of Kensico Dam.
NY 9A: Closed in both directions between Payne Street and Hunter Lane in Greenburgh.
Saw Mill River Parkway: Closed in both directions south of Exit 21E - NY 119 (Greenburgh) near mile marker 10.7.
Other roads experiencing impacts from flash flooding as of 6:20 p.m. were the Saw Mill River Parkway northbound south of Exit 25 - NY 9A near mile marker 14 in Mount Pleasant.
See a map of current impacts, closures, traffic cameras and more at 511ny.org.
Related: Southern Westchester under flood watch Monday, July 14. See the forecast from NWS
According to the National Weather Service, a flood watch remained in effect for southern Westchester, expiring at midnight Tuesday.
"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of urban, low lying, and flood prone locations, as well as along rivers, creeks, and streams," the NWS watch reads. "Numerous showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected late this afternoon and this evening."
Rainfall of up to 2 inches, with localized rainfall totals of up to 3 inches, are possible Monday, which much of the precipitation falling in 3 to 4 hours, "causing isolated to scattered instances of flash flooding."
Stay safe: Are you ready for a flood? What to know, how to prep for flooding in Lower Hudson Valley
According to the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, in the event of flooding, people should:
Stay alert for signs of heavy rain, such as thunder and lighting, and keep and eye out for rising water levels.
Know where high ground is and get there fast if they see or hear rapidly rising water.
Be particularly cautious at night, which is when it's tougher to recognize the danger.
Not cross flowing water that may be more than knee-deep. If any doubts, don't cross.
Not drive through flooded areas.
If someone's car stalls in a flooded place, the person should abandon it and seek higher ground immediately.
After a storm and/or flooding, government agencies advise people to:
Stay out of a building that has water around it. A danger from flood waters is it can be difficult or impossible to see what is floating in it, whether that be animals, contaminants, glass, or metal. Just a couple inches of running flood water can knock a person off their feet — and just 6 inches can carry a car away.
Stay off bridges or fast-moving water
Don't use contaminated water — whether for a glass of water or to bathe, be certain it's not contaminated.
Inspect your home's structure. Take pictures of damage from the storm for insurance claims. Check the home's structure to be certain it is to enter the home.
(This story was updated with new information.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester NY flash flooding: Several roads close July 14 after rains
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