Severe Flooding in Castleton-on-Hudson, NY Forces Water Rescues and Damages Historical Grist Mill

CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- Cleanup efforts were underway in parts of upstate New York on Thursday following two days of heavy rains that led to flash flooding, water rescues, and the destruction of a centuries-old grist mill.

Nearly a foot (30 centimeters) of rain fell in parts of Columbia and Rensselaer counties near Albany during a 48-hour period ending Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Albany, the state capital, was hit with 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rainfall over the same duration.

First responders in Albany and several neighboring towns conducted rescue operations on Wednesday, helping individuals trapped in their homes and vehicles as streets transformed into waterways. Emergency crews also worked to pump out flooded basements. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported, and floodwaters were receding by Thursday.

Photos and videos shared on social media depicted stranded cars submerged up to their windows and vast stretches of farmland inundated by the rapid floodwaters spilling over roadways.

One of the hardest-hit properties was a historic grist mill owned by Andy Klein, who recounted the distressing moment when a neighbor alerted him to the flooding at around 8 a.m. Wednesday. The nearby creek overflowed, inundating his property with water ranging from 3 to 4 feet (91 centimeters to 122 centimeters) deep, ultimately leading to the destruction of the oldest section of the mill located adjacent to his home. “It’s just a horrible event,” Klein remarked. “The mill’s been there for hundreds of years, and it’s a very sad event. I’m a big fan of history, and I just watched a building being torn apart.”

Additionally, the water treatment plant in Castleton-on-Hudson suffered damage due to the flooding, prompting officials to issue a boil water advisory and urge residents to conserve water usage.

The severe weather earlier this week also affected other regions of New York, as well as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, resulting in significant street flooding and necessitating further water rescues.

Investigation and recovery efforts are ongoing, with local authorities monitoring the situation closely as the community begins to assess the complete extent of damages.