NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 Heavy rain spawned extreme flooding in New York\u2019s Hudson Valley that killed at least one person, swamped roadways and forced road closures on Sunday night, as much of the rest of the Northeast U.S. braced Monday for potentially punishing rains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the storm moved east, the National Weather Service extended flash flood warnings into Connecticut, including the cities of Stamford and Greenwich, before creeping into Massachusetts. Forecasters said some areas could get as much as 5 inches (12 centimeters) of rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In New York\u2019s Hudson Valley, rescue teams found the body of a woman in her 30s who drowned after being swept away while trying to evacuate her home, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus told WABC-TV. Officials were waiting for the medical examiner\u2019s office to arrive, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a major flash flood. Major washouts were all around where her house is,\u201d Neuhaus said. \u201cSo I could definitely see where she was trying to get out to to safety, but did not make it, got swept away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The force of the flash flooding dislodged boulders, which rammed the woman\u2019s house and damaged part of its wall, Neuhaus told The Associated Press. Two other people escaped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHer house was completely surrounded by water,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe was trying to get through (the flooding) with her dog,\u201d he added, \u201cand she was overwhelmed by tidal-wave type waves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The extent of the destruction from the slow moving storm, which pounded the area with up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain, won\u2019t be known until after sunrise, when residents and officials can begin surveying the damage. But officials said the storm had already wrought tens of millions of dollars in damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed to WCBS radio that several people were missing and one home was washed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rains have hit some parts of New York harder than others, but officials said communities to the east of the state should brace for torrential rains and possible flash flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials urged residents in the line of the storm to stay off the roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe amount of water is extraordinary and it\u2019s still a very dangerous situation,\u201d Hochul said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll get through this,\u201d she said, but added \u201cit\u2019s going to be a rough night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The governor declared a state of emergency Sunday for Orange County, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of New York City. She later extended the state of emergency to Ontario County in western New York, southeast of Rochester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are in close communication with local officials and state agencies are participating in search and rescue efforts,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The state deployed five swift-water rescue teams and a high-axle vehicle to help with rescues in flooded areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some video posted on social media showed the extent of flooding, with streams of brown-colored torrents rushing right next to homes, and roadways washed away by fast-moving cascading flows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
West Point, home to the U.S. Military Academy, was severely flooded. Officials worry some historic buildings might have water damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings across parts of southeastern New York, describing it as \u201clife threatening,\u201d as well as warnings in northeastern New Jersey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Monday, \u201ca considerable flood threat with a high risk of excessive rainfall\u201d was expected across much of New England, NWS said in a tweet. Intense rain may be especially strong in Vermont, where Gov. Phil Scott declared a state of emergency Sunday, and northeastern New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Showers and thunderstorms in New York City could lead to flash flooding, the National Weather Service New York tweeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city\u2019s emergency notification system tweeted that the heavy rain could cause \u201clife-threatening flooding to basements\u201d and instructed residents Sunday to \u201cprepare now to move to higher ground if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State Route 9W was flooded, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway became so drenched that parts of it were closed, the New York State Police said in a statement. The police asked the public to avoid the parkway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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