Large swaths of the Northeast are under flood watch through Wednesday evening as heavy rain pummels the region.
The watch is in effect until 8 p.m. in New York's Capital Region and Hudson Valley, as well as southern Vermont, western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. Rainfall rates may reach 1 to 2 inches per hour in the hardest hit areas. Three to 5 inches may fall in the southern Green Mountains, Berkshire Mountains and Litchfield County, Connecticut.
In New York's Capital Region, Greene County declared a state of emergency in response to flash flooding.
One of the municipalities under a state of emergency was the village of Coxsackie, where police said a vehicle was submerged on a flooded portion of Mansion Street under a railway overpass. A dive team was called in to look for anyone in the car. The occupants were able to escape.
The American Red Cross has opened shelters at Greenville High School and Hunter-Tannersville Elementary School for those in Greene County affected by the flooding. A similar location is being set up in Albany County at Albany School of Humanities.
“They had a possible water rescue at the viaduct in Coxsackie,” Fuentes said. “They had a possible structure fire in Catskill in that time frame. But, majority of pump outs in the village.”
A pump-out means clearing water from a flooded basement – clearing electrical hazards and making sure furnaces keep running. Fuentes and his team have been handling those all day. During my visit to the station, firefighters were dripping sweat. They barely had time to sit down from the last call before the next one came in.
“This is probably the heaviest rain I've seen this whole summer,” Fuentes said. “I mean, it's been pretty, pretty outrageous, you know?”
Still, about 10 hours into the shift, with no end in sight, spirits at the station were high.
“It brings a lot of us together,” Fuentes said. “You know we're as a family, and you know the guys are here and they're going out for the community. So, you know, camaraderie’s pretty strong.”
Rensselaer County also declared a state of emergency, and is urging residents to avoid non-essential travel. County offices there are still open, but Rensselaer County's senior centers will be closed today, and meal deliveries to seniors will be canceled.
According to the county's Facebook page, Rensselaer County offices like the DMV will be open — but the county's senior centers will be closed today, and meal deliveries to seniors are also canceled.
Meanwhile, the Albany Police Department responded to multiple disabled vehicle and flooding calls this morning.
Department spokesperson Derek Ellis said no one has been injured so far, but first responders have rescued several people from their vehicles.
"We're doing what we can to respond to the calls in a timely fashion, but for the time being, we're just advising people to stay off the roads if you can," Ellis said. "Avoid driving through water, so if you can't see the roadway, please do not drive through it."
One of those drivers who was rescued after being trapped in his car was Shane Febus, who works as a rideshare app driver.
He got on the road around around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning and passed under the Railroad bridge that crosses Central Avenue with no issue. When he drove the same route 15 minutes later, he got trapped.
"It went from nothing in the car to seeping in a bit to halfway up to the steering wheel, at that point, before 911 instructed us to get out the window," Febus said. "We was literally stuck in the car at that point, and not even an hour later, I came back and the car was underwater."
Febus says he considered not going out, but it was financially difficult to take a day off. His car is totaled, and he's working with his insurance company to see what he'll get.
"So right now, I'm just up in the air. I'm just up in the air [with] what I'm gonna do," Febus said. "Day by day, man."
Hudson Valley faces dramatic flooding
Livingston Manor Fire Chief Brett Marson said that the main street was covered in water overnight. Around 3: 30 a.m., they were hit with some very heavy rain, so that by 5 a.m., the street was totally impassable. He said there was no loss of life, but there was some property damage and basements that had flooded.
Dutchess County reported dramatic flooding near the Home Depot in Fishkill, and a video posted to the New York State Department of Transportation showed water rushing into the road, basically like a waterfall.
“I guess we got over eight inches of water in this area, so all the water from the mountain came down and just took out the road,” said Fishkill police dispatcher, Bernadette Scheibel. “So, our biggest precautions would be making sure all culverts are cleared of any debris, any sticks, any all it takes is a little any anything backing up, and you're going to have issues.”
Rain day at Saratoga
The downpour has canceled racing at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday
Wednesday’s featured race will be run on Sunday, and races are currently set to resume Thursday with a normal schedule.
The cancellation comes as The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and New York Racing Association tout decreased horse fatalities, crediting new safety measures that, among other things, better evaluate track surface conditions.
The 2026 meet at Saratoga Race Course is the longest on record, reaching 51 days of races at the historic venue.
Train cancellations
Amtrak canceled trains between Albany and New York City Wednesday due to "high water and debris on the tracks," Amtrak announced in an X post on Wednesday.
"Track inspection personnel are onsite evaluating operating conditions to ensure the safety of our customers and employees," an Amtrak spokesperson said in a statement to WAMC.
Amtrak made the following adjustments to its schedule for Wednesday:
- Trains 280, 284, and 290 are terminating in Albany
- Trains 281, 283, and 291 are originating in Albany
- Train 63 is terminating in Rhinecliff
- Trains 68, 69, 233, 234, 236, 238, and 240 are canceled
Customers can rebook their tickets for another day at no cost, or cancel for a full refund. Train statuses are available on Amtrak's website.