Essex Co. declares State of Emergency amid widespread flooding

JAY | With a close eye on the East Branch of the Ausable River, local officials are bracing for additional flooding as heavy overnight rains continue through the afternoon. Numerous Essex County roads were closed as some area school districts released students early amid the devastation. The National Weather Service in Burlington issued a flood watch for the Northern New York area through Tuesday morning expecting the heavy runoff and snow melt from higher elevations to flood rivers, creeks and streams along flood-prone areas. The Essex County Office of Emergency Services first announced road closures on Hesseltine Road in Jay as well as on Hulls Falls Road and Holt Road in Keene. Airport Road in Keene was also closed later Monday morning as was Elk Lake Road in North Hudson. By mid-morning, River Road from Route 73 to Route 86 in North Elba had been closed as was Mirror Lake Drive. Route 73 in Keene was down to one lane between Airport Road and Route 9N through the cascades. Ensign Pond Road on both ends was also closed as was Water Street in Elizabethtown, where Tannery Brook surged into the overflowing Boquet. The devastation there was quickly noted as being worse than even during Tropical Storm Irene as Water Street stood at a standstill with a complete washout near Saint D's Pizzeria. In Westport, Ledge Hill Road and Taylor Road were closed due to the flooding as were Spear and Whallons Bay roads in Essex. Westport was later forced to close McMahon and Mountain Springs Road as the high waters continued while Alder Meadow and Beech Hill roads in Schroon were shuttered by midday. Shortly after Ensign Pond Road in Moriah closed, town officials braced for the impending widespread impacts by declaring a State of Emergency as road crews worked to clear culverts and assess damages. Tracy Road was closed there a short time later. By the afternoon, a large portion of Ensign Pond's shoulder was completely caved in as surging waters swept across the cracked and broken tarmac. As the Essex County Board of Supervisors meeting was underway, county officials also moved toward an official State of Emergency as the influx of closures continued. By 11:05 a.m., the official declaration was made noting the widespread impacts since 8 a.m. Boquet Valley Central School released students early amid the State of Emergency. Mountain View campus released students at 10:57 a.m. with Lake View students following at 11:15 a.m. as all after-school activities were canceled. AuSable Valley Central School also moved to dismiss students early, with elementary children brought home at 11:45 a.m. and middle/high school students at 12:30 p.m. as widespread road closures were underway in the surrounding areas. By the afternoon, Buck Mountain, Stoney Lonesome and Old Furnace roads in Crown Point were added to the growing list of road closures. Widespread rainfall of 1.5-2.5 inches was expected through the day. The combination of rainfall and snow melt was expected to bring area rivers to moderate flood stage. Residents should call 911 to report downed power lines, flooding, or trees blocking roads. A complete and updated list of affected Essex County roadways can be found here.

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Essex Co. declares State of Emergency amid widespread flooding

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