Storms brought high winds and heavy rains to northeastern states in the USA from 31 October, 2019.
According to a statement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office on 01 November, over 240,000 homes were without electricity and nearly 60 roads were closed, including 32 in the Mohawk Valley. The governor declared a state of emergency for Cayuga, Chautauqua, Cortland, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Saratoga and Warren Counties.
“Overnight a severe storm hit the state, bringing with it high wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and heavy rain that caused flash flooding and widespread power outages,” Governor Cuomo said.
“This morning we did a swift water rescue in Herkimer County where a home was in danger of being swept away, taking five people out of the home including an infant. I am deploying 200 members of the National Guard to impacted areas to assist with response operations. These situations can be a matter of life and death, and I am urging all New Yorkers to exercise extreme caution and only travel if necessary.”
One person died after being swept away by flood waters in Norway, Herkimer County, New York State.
The swollen West Canada Creek broke its banks near Poland, Herkimer County. Videos shared on Social Media showed a house ripped from its foundations being swept along the flooding creek.
On Nov. 1, in Poland, New York, a holiday home was swept away after the West Canada Creek broke its banks amidst flooding. https://t.co/awh4DGEBLT pic.twitter.com/iUTdSs0xVq
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) November 4, 2019
The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded water levels of West Canada Creek at Kast Bridge at 10.94 feet on 31 October, surpassing the previous record of 10.49 feet set in 1943. Major Flood Stage at this location is 8 feet.
The storm also flooded roads and downed trees in Vermont. The worst hit areas of the state were in Franklin and Lamoille Counties where Lamoille and Missisquoi rivers had reached record levels, according to NWS. Vermont Governor Phil Scott visited some of the flood-hit areas on 03 November.
Elsewhere, several homes in Thornbury Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania were damaged or destroyed by a tornado. In the state of Maine, powerful winds knocked down trees and power cables causing electricity outages for over 100,000 customers.
