Pounding rain in parts of upstate New York caused havoc on the roads across the region and led to multiple rescues of stranded drivers Sunday, officials said.
Raging floodwaters quickly overwhelmed towns and villages in multiple counties due to torrential downpours Sunday as officials urged drivers to stay off the roads.
In a statement, a New York State Police spokesperson confirmed there were “numerous” drivers stranded in Rockland County as officials provided photos of cars underwater or struggling to drive through the severe flooding.
Other photos showed totally washed-out roads.
“State Police along with local fire departments and EMS personnel are utilizing personnel and equipment to assist these motorists and get them to safety as fast as possible,” a spokesperson said.
State authorities also requested drivers avoid the Palisades Interstate Parkway Sunday evening because of the heavy flooding.
The National Weather Service for the New York metro area tweeted Sunday that it received multiple reports of “significant flooding and persons trapped in vehicles” in eastern Orange County, specifically along Route 9W.
The town of Cornwall’s Office for Emergency Management issued a no-travel advisory around 4 p.m. — noting there were numerous flooded roadways, stranded vehicles, and water rescues.
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne told The Post the walloping rain caused a sinkhole to open up under the foundation of a Carmel house that forced the residents to evacuate.
A retaining wall in the homeowner’s basement collapsed, according to county officials. First responders found a large hole had opened up on the side of the house and front lawn when they reached the shocking scene.
“We’ve been trying to communicate to the public, obviously to avoid the roads, do your best to stay home,” Byrne said.
Flash flood emergencies and warnings were issued by the National Weather Service across parts of upper Westchester County, Rockland, Putnam and Orange into Sunday evening as Mother Nature continued to dump heavy rain in the region.
Almost 53 million people along the Eastern Seaboard were at risk of flooding through Monday morning, according to Fox Weather.
Millions of people from Washington DC through Philadelphia and New York and up to Vermont face the most serious risk, Fox Weather said.
